Possible 'clearest signs' of life on Mars found by NASA’s Perseverance rover

NASA's Perseverance rover discovered leopard spots on a reddish rock nicknamed "Cheyava Falls" in Mars' Jezero Crater in July 2024. (Image: NASA)

The quest to find life beyond Earth takes a fascinating turn. NASA’s Perseverance rover has captured a sample from Jezero Crater. Scientists now say it could contain potential biosignatures. The rock, nicknamed “Cheyava Falls”, holds clues about Mars’ ancient environment.

What Makes This Sample Special?

Perseverance collected the sample last year during its exploration. The rock comes from a dry riverbed called the Bright Angel Formation. This region contains sedimentary rocks composed of silt and clay. Such rocks preserve evidence of ancient microbial life on Earth. The sample’s organic carbon, sulphur, and phosphorous content is promising.

“We found colourful spots in the Cheyava Falls rock,” said Joel Hurowitz, the mission’s lead scientist. These spots suggest chemical reactions possibly linked to past life. High-resolution images revealed patterns named leopard spots. They contain vivianite and greigite, iron-rich minerals. Vivianite appears in Earth sediments and decaying matter. Greigite sometimes forms through microbial activity.

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie, made up of 62 individual images, on July 23. 2024. A rock nicknamed "Cheyava Falls," which has features that may bear on the question of whether the Red Planet was long ago home to microscopic life, is to the left of the rover near the center of the image. (Image: NASA)

These minerals may hint at ancient microbial processes. However, they can also form abiotically without life. Researchers found no signs of acidic conditions or high temperatures. Such environments often explain non-biological mineral formation. This raises interest in the possibility of ancient life.

Where Was This Discovery Made?

The discovery occurred in Jezero Crater, once home to a river system. The rover first reached Cheyava Falls in July 2024. The area spans a wide ancient river valley. It shows layers of clay and silt deposits. These features offer a window into Mars’ past climate.

“This is the closest we’ve come to finding life,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “We remain committed to exploring Mars thoroughly.”

Why This Discovery Matters

Perseverance is equipped with advanced instruments. SHERLOC and PIXL carefully examined the rock’s surface. These instruments detected the mineral patterns and chemical signatures. The potential biosignature challenges earlier beliefs about ancient life on Mars. Scientists thought such signs would be found only in older rocks. The sample suggests life could have lasted longer than expected.

Katie Stack Morgan, Perseverance’s project scientist, emphasised caution. “Extraordinary claims need extraordinary evidence,” she said. The findings were published in the journal Nature. NASA now shares the data with the global science community.

The rover has retrieved 27 samples of rock thus far. The samples aid scientists in learning about Mars' habitability and geology. The success of the mission keeps revealing more information about the Red Planet.

The Perseverance mission of NASA is at the heart of finding life. Directed by Caltech and operated by NASA JPL, the mission is under NASA's Mars Exploration Program. Scientists will keep analysing the data, looking for clues.