A NASA rover on Mars has discovered the first “possible” signs of ancient life on the Red Planet.
Perseverance detected what the area company described as an “arrowhead-shaped” rock with “veins” running through it.
Experts say the rock exhibits chemical patterns and structures that may have been created through a little vital bureaucracy billions of years ago.
Nicknamed “Cheyava Falls,” it was discovered on July 21 while Perseverance was exploring an ancient river valley called Neretva Vallis in Mars’ Jezero Crater.
The coffee table-length rock, measuring between 1m and 60cm, has some intriguing features. NASA scientists have discovered lines of biological matter, places similar to fossilized microbes on Earth, and signs that water once flowed there.
NASA says those clues suggest the possibility of ancient Martian life, but warns that more studies are sure to follow.
Ken Farley, a scientist assigned to the task at the California Institute of Technology, described Cheyava Falls as “the most confusing, complex, and potentially potentially studied rock ever studied through Perseverance. “
However, the research team noted that non-biological processes may also be to blame for the observed characteristics.
The discovery of the Cheyava Falls adds to evidence that Mars was once a warmer, wetter planet, potentially capable of hosting life.
The researchers say that if life ever evolves there, the lines would deserve to remain in their rocks.
David Flannery, an astrobiologist at Queensland University of Technology and a member of the mission, called the sites a “big surprise,” noting that on Earth similar features “are related to the fossilized record of microbes. “
Professor John Bridges from the University of Leicester highlighted the importance of this discovery. He said: “That is the purpose of the Mars Sample Return.
“We’ve never noticed anything like this before on Mars, in our Martian meteorite collections, with the Mars Science Laboratory or other landers. “
Professor Charles Cockell, an astrobiologist at the University of Edinburgh, said: “While those features do not provide unambiguous evidence of life, they do verify that Mars is a very dynamic planet with all the ingredients needed for life, in addition to biological carbon.
He added: “We want to bring samples or, in my opinion, even better, send humans to come out if we see traces of life. “
Create a FREE account to read
Subscribing is a loose and simple way to do our journalism.
Join our network where you can: comment on stories; sign up for newsletters; Participate in contests and content in our application.
Your address
It must contain at least 6 characters, one uppercase character, one lowercase character, and one number.
You will have to be at least 18 years old to create an account.
*Required fields
Already have an account? SIGN IN
By clicking Create Account, you verify that your knowledge has been entered and that you have read and accepted our terms of use, our cookie policy and our privacy policy.
This site is powered by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Thank you for your registration
Refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to log in.
MORE ABOUT