By Aastha Raj

Copyright indiatimes

APNASA announces life on Mars? Did the new rover discover signs of water or oxygen? This image provided by NASA shows NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover

In what is being described as a groundbreaking step in planetary science, NASA announces life on Mars may no longer be confined to science fiction. A new study based on core samples drilled by the Perseverance rover has revealed mineral and chemical patterns that, on Earth, are frequently linked with microbial activity. While officials have urged caution, the discovery marks the closest scientists have come to identifying potential life on Mars, with evidence tied to ancient water flow in the Jezero Crater, as per a report by the science journal Earth.NASA Mars Discovery Stirs Global ExcitementThe latest NASA Mars discovery comes from the “Sapphire Canyon” mudstone core collected in July 2024. The rover drilled into a rock informally named Chevaya Falls, located in the Bright Angel region of Neretva Vallis, a dried-up river channel that once fed into Jezero Crater’s lake.Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy called the find “the closest we have ever come to discovering life on Mars.” He added that the identification of a potential biosignature “is a groundbreaking discovery, and one that will advance our understanding of Mars.”The announcement sparked fresh global debate about whether the Red Planet once sustained life and whether future missions could confirm it.Also Read: Viral TikTok video from Panama shows alleged meteorite with ‘Alien Life’ – Discovery or Hoax?Live EventsInside the Martian MudstoneAnalysis of the core has uncovered fine-grained mudstone with circular patterns known as “leopard spots,” along with tiny nodules in layered sediments. Perseverance’s instruments, SHERLOC and PIXL, detected organic carbon alongside phosphate, iron, and sulfur arranged in repeating patterns.Two minerals stand out: vivianite, an iron phosphate, and greigite, an iron sulfide. On Earth, both minerals often appear in water-rich, oxygen-poor environments shaped by microbial activity.These mineral structures were not formed in volcanic lava but in sediments deposited by water. The setting, scientists argue, strengthens the case for potential habitability.Life on Mars NASA: Why This MattersThe discovery feeds into the broader narrative of NASA life on Mars explorations. On Earth, vivianite forms when microbes reduce iron in water-rich sediments, trapping phosphorus. Greigite appears in muds influenced by sulfate-reducing bacteria.In the Martian core, scientists observed bullseye-like patterns with vivianite rims around greigite cores—a structure closely matching electron transfer reactions caused by microbes in Earth’s muds.While not definitive proof, these parallels strongly suggest the possibility of biological activity in Mars’s past.Water at the Heart of NASA’s Mars MissionCentral to the debate is the question: have they found water?The mudstone core was collected in a river channel that once transported water into Jezero Crater, a basin believed to have hosted a lake billions of years ago. The presence of water-laid sediments and low-temperature mineral reactions reinforces the hypothesis that water played a role in creating the conditions necessary for life.Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stressed caution. “It’s not life itself. This is a potential biosignature, not proof of life,” she said.Even so, the signals detected in the mudstone are consistent with water-based microbial processes observed on Earth.Caution in NASA’s LanguageDespite the excitement, NASA scientists remain cautious. They refer to the findings as a potential biosignature—a signal that may point to life but requires further analysis to rule out non-biological explanations.The agency employs the “Confidence of Life Detection” (CoLD) scale to guide how such discoveries are communicated. According to the framework, signals must be independently verified and alternative explanations eliminated before making conclusive claims about extraterrestrial life.The current finding sits low on that scale, marking early but promising evidence.Organic Signals, but No CertaintyThe rover detected organic carbon in several Bright Angel targets. Combined with the vivianite and greigite patterns, this raises the possibility of ancient microbial activity, as per the NASA report. However, scientists stress that organic compounds can also originate from meteorites or purely chemical reactions. To settle the matter, the sealed samples will need to be returned to Earth for advanced laboratory testing, a key objective of NASA’s Mars Sample Return program.Implications for Mars HabitabilityIf the vivianite and greigite were indeed formed through microbial metabolisms, it would indicate that Mars once supported energy cycles similar to those of Earth microbes. This would extend the timeline of Mars’s habitability into an era when Jezero’s lakes and rivers were still active.Even if the minerals are abiotic, the discovery still matters. It would show that Mars’s environment once facilitated complex chemical processes involving iron, sulfur, and phosphorus—elements essential for life.Next Steps in NASA’s Mars MissionThe Perseverance rover will continue its exploration, mapping out where similar features appear and collecting additional samples. NASA hopes to bring these sealed samples back to Earth within the next decade, where isotopic analysis and microtexture studies could reveal whether the signals truly represent life.Sean Duffy emphasized NASA’s cautious approach: “Our commitment is to Gold Standard Science. This means checking every possible explanation before making extraordinary claims”, as quoted in a report by Earth.FAQsDoes this mean NASA has found life on Mars? Not yet. The discovery is classified as a potential biosignature. While the evidence is compelling, further testing is needed to rule out non-biological explanations.Did NASA find water on Mars with this discovery? The mudstone core was taken from a former river channel that once fed Jezero Crater’s ancient lake. The sediments confirm that water played a role in shaping the site, strengthening the case for past habitability.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Read More News onNASA announces life on Mars truthnasa announces life on marsnasa mars discoverynasa life on marslife on mars nasanasa marsNASA life on Mars truth

(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless

(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onNASA announces life on Mars truthnasa announces life on marsnasa mars discoverynasa life on marslife on mars nasanasa marsNASA life on Mars truth(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless

Explore More Stories123