NASA has revealed what it calls the strongest evidence so far of ancient microbial life on Mars. The discovery comes from a rock sample collected by the Perseverance Rover in 2024.
The sample, named Sapphire Canyon, was taken from Neretva Vallis near Jezero Crater, an area once believed to be part of an ancient river system. Scientists say the rock shows clear organic signals that are difficult to explain without considering biology.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy told reporters that experts had spent a year reviewing the data. He explained that, unlike past findings, this evidence cannot be explained away by non-biological processes.
Nicky Fox, head of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, described the discovery as “the closest we’ve come to finding ancient life on Mars.” She clarified that the evidence does not show living organisms but rather fossil-like signatures that may have formed billions of years ago.
Scientists studying the rock identified unusual features, including dark “poppy seeds” and spotted patterns. Using Perseverance’s instruments, they detected organic carbon mixed with minerals often linked to microbial activity.
Joel Hurowitz of Stony Brook University, the study’s lead author, said the mineral combination strongly suggests biological processes. While alternative geological explanations exist, none provide a complete answer.
NASA officials stressed that to confirm the discovery, the samples must be brought back to Earth. The agency’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) program was created for this purpose, though it faces budget and technical challenges.
Meanwhile, China is moving ahead with its own Mars mission, aiming to return samples by 2031, possibly ahead of NASA’s timeline. Despite this, NASA leaders insist the United States will continue to lead in planetary exploration.
This discovery marks a major milestone in space science and strengthens the possibility that Mars once hosted microbial life.
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