Did life once thrive on Mars? A rock holds clues
NASA's Perseverance rover has unearthed a rock on Mars, named "Cheyava Falls," that may hold clues to ancient life. The rock, reminiscent of a famous Arizona waterfall in its name, exhibits features suggesting it could have harbored living microbes billions of years ago. Measuring approximately 1 meter by 0.6 meters and predominantly reddish in color, Cheyava Falls is characterized by thin white veins of calcium sulphate, likely formed from water flowing through fissures and depositing minerals.
Unusual features on Mars rock spark scientific interest
In addition to the water-formed veins, researchers analyzing Perseverance's data found other intriguing features on Cheyava Falls. Light-colored splotches, each just millimeters across and surrounded by dark material containing iron and phosphate, were observed. "These spots are a big surprise," said David Flannery from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, in a NASA press release. Flannery noted that similar features on Earth rocks often indicate fossilized microbes living beneath the surface.
Organic compounds detected near Mars rock
Perseverance rover also detected certain organic compounds, often considered as building blocks of life, in the same area where Cheyava Falls is located. These discoveries could be interpreted as signs of ancient Martian microbes, but despite extensive analysis using lasers and X-rays, it remains uncertain whether Cheyava Falls holds signs of life.A sample of Cheyava Falls has been added to the rover's collection, intended for return to Earth by a future mission for more detailed study.
NASA expresses excitement over Mars rock discovery
Nicola Fox, an associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, expressed excitement about the discovery. "This trip through the Neretva Vallis riverbed paid off as we found something we've never seen before, which will give our scientists so much to study," Fox said. NASA said that other explanations for the observed features are being considered by the science team and future research steps will be required to determine whether ancient life is a valid explanation.
