NASA finds 'clearest sign' yet of life on Mars in crater rock

NASA scientists say they may have uncovered the strongest evidence so far that ancient life once existed on Mars. A rock sample collected by the Perseverance rover in July 2024 has revealed unusual “leopard spot” markings that appear to defy purely geological explanations.

After a year of peer-reviewed analysis, researchers concluded the features could represent biosignatures—patterns consistent with microbial activity. The rock, nicknamed Cheyava Falls, was drilled from Jezero Crater’s Bright Angel formation, an area shaped by water more than 3 billion years ago. While scientists caution more research is needed, the finding is seen as a breakthrough in Mars exploration.

NASA on Mars: The Cheyava Falls discovery

NASA’s Perseverance rover retrieved the Cheyava Falls rock from the edges of Neretva Vallis, an ancient river valley feeding Jezero Crater.

The area was once sculpted by flowing water, forming a lake environment ideal for microbial life. The rock immediately stood out due to its unusual textural features—small black “poppy seed” specks and larger leopard-like spots. Using rover instruments like Mastcam-Z and SHERLOC, scientists detected minerals and organic compounds suggesting interactions between water, mud, and carbon-based molecules.

This combination is rarely produced by purely geological processes, raising the tantalizing possibility of ancient microbial activity on Mars.

The significance of leopard spots

The leopard spots in the rock are composed of iron and phosphate, while white veins of calcium sulfate indicate that water once penetrated the formation. On Earth, similar minerals and textures are often produced in sediments where microbes metabolize organic matter. These chemical reactions release energy that can sustain microorganisms, hinting that the rock may have supported life billions of years ago. The unusual distribution and patterns of these features make it one of the clearest potential biosignatures discovered on the Red Planet to date.

Organic compounds and biosignatures

NASA’s SHERLOC instrument detected carbon-based organic molecules within the rock, a key indicator of potential past life. While organic compounds alone don’t prove life, their co-occurrence with the leopard spots and mineral signatures strengthens the case for a biological origin. Scientists explain that the interaction of organic matter, iron phosphate, and sulfates could create patterns through microbial metabolism, much like processes observed in early Earth sediments.

This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the chemical and environmental conditions on Mars billions of years ago.Despite the excitement, researchers caution that alternative non-biological explanations remain possible. Definitive proof of ancient Martian life requires returning the sample to Earth, where advanced laboratory instruments can conduct far more sensitive analyses than any rover can. NASA is evaluating options to bring Cheyava Falls and other collected samples back, although budget constraints pose challenges.

Successfully returning these rocks could finally answer one of humanity’s most profound questions: did life ever exist beyond Earth?