NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS via Reuters NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover snaps a self-portrait at a site called Vera Rubin Ridge on the Martian surface.The “ingredients necessary for life” have been found on Mars, according to NASA scientists. Data compiled by the Curiosity rover shows that a water lake inside the planet’s Gale Crater once contained “tough” organic molecules made up of carbon and hydrogen — and possibly many other elements, such as oxygen and nitrogen. These ancient compounds were apparently lying dormant in 3-billion-year-old sedimentary rocks, which were discovered near Mars’ surface by NASA’s Curiosity. The SUV-sized rover drilled a hole into the rocks, scooped up some samples, and then ran them through its SAM system. This specialized “suite of instruments” heated up the Martian soil using a nuclear-powered oven “to release organic molecules from the powdered rock,” NASA said.via