Boron Detected by Curiosity

The detection of boron by NASA's Curiosity rover in 2017 marked a significant clue in Mars' potential to support life. Found in calcium sulfate veins within Gale Crater, this element is crucial for RNA formation - a key building block of life as we know it. On Earth, boron helps stabilize sugars necessary for genetic material. Its presence suggests Mars once had groundwater with chemistry suitable for prebiotic processes. While not direct proof, this discovery indicates that essential ingredients for life existed in ancient Martian environments, strengthening the case for possible past habitability.