The U.S. space agency NASA held a press conference yesterday evening, unveiling groundbreaking findings that could reshape our understanding of Mars’ history. Data from the Perseverance rover, which has been exploring the Jezero Crater since 2021, revealed signs suggesting that life may once have existed on the Red Planet.
Promising Clues from Jezero Crater
The sample, nicknamed “Sapphire Canyon” by scientists, was collected in July 2024 from an arrowhead-shaped rock in the Neretva Vallis region. This site is particularly significant, as it is believed to have been home to powerful river systems some 3.5 billion years ago. The findings not only strengthen the case for ancient life on Mars but also provide fresh evidence that the region may once have been a wet, habitable environment.
Mineral Traces Hinting at Microbes
NASA reported that the rock displayed unusual “leopard spots” and “poppy seed” patterns. Using the PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry) tool, scientists detected high concentrations of iron and phosphate—both critical elements in microbial energy processes on Earth. Since these compounds typically form in the presence of water at low temperatures, researchers suggest similar biochemical conditions may have existed on Mars.
Another striking discovery was the presence of white vein structures composed of calcium sulfate, indicating that water once flowed through the rock’s cracks. In addition, the SHERLOC instrument detected organic molecules, which are the fundamental building blocks of life as we know it.
Parallels with Earth
Evidence of hematite, a mineral responsible for Mars’ reddish color, was also found. Scientists propose that as red rocks transitioned to white, released iron and phosphate formed dark rings—similar to traces left by microorganisms metabolizing organic material on Earth.
At present, researchers are weighing two possibilities: Were these formations purely geochemical in origin, or do they truly preserve signs of microbial life? Crucially, the data show that the rocks were never exposed to high heat, making the geochemical-only explanation less convincing.
NASA’s Verdict: “No Other Explanation”
Interim NASA Administrator Sean Duff summarized the findings:
“After all our analyses, we couldn’t come up with any other explanation.”
Lead researcher Joel Hurowitz echoed this view:
“The mineral and textural patterns we see here strongly resemble what microbes leave behind on Earth after processing organic matter. We must seriously consider the possibility that similar biological processes once occurred on Mars.”
These revelations suggest that Mars may not have always been a barren wasteland, but instead a planet that, billions of years ago, could have supported life.