Mars rover deploys final instrument

Soil analysis finds organic compounds of uncertain origin

SAN FRANCISCO — It took more than three months, but NASA’s Curiosity rover has sent back its first complete tests of Mars’ windswept soil. In it, mission scientists have spotted chemical compounds that include chlorine, hydrogen and, tantalizingly, carbon.

TWO SCOOPS The Curiosity rover dipped its scoop several times in this small dune.