On July 21, NASA’s Perseverance rover discovered signs of microbial life on Mars. The discovery was made on a rock named Cheyava Falls, an arrow-shaped formation on the northern edge of Neretva Vallis. The rover drilled into the reddish rock and found organic molecules and building blocks of life, as reported by Ken Farley, the project scientist at the California Institute of Technology, during a July 25 conference.
In 2014, a similar discovery of an organic molecule was made in the Gale Crater region. However, Perseverance deputy project scientist Katie Stack Morgan from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab noted, “We’re not able to say that this is a sign of life, but this is the most compelling sample we’ve found yet.”
The rock sample, measuring 3 feet by 2 feet, showed formations similar to Earth’s fossilized microbes, suggesting that water once passed through the rock. Farley described it as “the most puzzling, complex, and potentially important rock yet investigated by Perseverance.” He added, “We have our first compelling detection of organic material, distinctive colorful spots indicative of chemical reactions that microbial life could use as an energy source, and clear evidence that water, necessary for life, once passed through the rock.”
Perseverance’s Sherloc instrument revealed that organic compounds, such as carbon-based molecules, could be potential building blocks for life. The rock also contained calcium phosphate, haematite, and iron oxide compounds, contributing to Mars’ red color.
Despite these exciting findings, scientists urge caution, emphasizing the need for further research to confirm signs of life on Mars. The return of these samples to Earth, which is expected to cost over $11 billion (£8.5 billion), is projected to happen no sooner than 2024. NASA is exploring options to expedite and reduce the cost of bringing these samples back to Earth.
These discoveries highlight Mars’ wet past and its potential habitability. The Perseverance mission continues to explore the ancient river delta in Jezero Crater, aiming to uncover more clues about the planet’s history and the possibility of past life.