Potential Signs of Ancient Life on Mars: NASA's Intriguing Find

NASA’s Perseverance rover may have uncovered its most convincing evidence yet of ancient life on Mars, though any creatures that once existed there were likely no more than microscopic.

Photo byNASA/JPL-Caltech, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On July 21, 2024, Percy, as the rover is affectionately known, drilled into a rock at a site called Cheyava Falls, where it discovered intriguing leopard spot-like patterns. These features resemble structures in Earth rocks that have been associated with microbial life.

“We’re not able to say that this is a sign of life,” cautioned Katie Stack Morgan, deputy project scientist for the rover. “But this is the most compelling sample we’ve found yet.” (“NASA's Perseverance finds its first possible hint of ancient Mars life | Science News Explores”)

The reddish rock, found in Mars' Jezero Crater, marks the first time Perseverance has identified organic molecules—the carbon-based building blocks of life—since it landed three years ago. ("Perseverance Location Map | nasa.gov")

Project scientist Ken Farley shared these findings at the 10th International Conference on Mars, stating that the discovery revives excitement for potential ancient life on the Red Planet.

This isn’t the first time organic molecules have been detected on Mars; NASA’s Curiosity rover made a similar find in 2014. However, finding such compounds in Jezero Crater, a site of an ancient lake, has proven difficult until now. (“How NASA Curiosity Instrument Made First Detection…| jpl.nasa.gov”)

The rock sample’s spots, containing iron phosphate, are chemically similar to features found in Earth rocks linked to microbial activity. However, other elements, such as calcium sulfate veins, suggest volcanic origins, leading scientists to puzzle over the rock’s history.

Paul Byrne, a planetary scientist at Washington University, urges caution, suggesting the spots may not be biological but rather the result of water-rock chemistry. “The only way to know for sure,” Byrne says, “is to bring the samples back to Earth.” (“NASA's Perseverance Mars rover…Space.com”)

That mission, Mars Sample Return (MSR), remains in limbo due to funding concerns. But the new discovery strengthens the case for moving forward. Stack Morgan is optimistic, stating, “Percy’s exciting new sample really hits that home.”