NASA’s Perseverance rover has uncovered a rock on Mars that may hold evidence of ancient microbial life. The rock, named Cheyava Falls, was discovered in the Jezero Crater and features arrowhead-shaped spots dubbed “leopard spots” and “poppy seeds.” Researchers believe these features are signs of chemical reactions that occurred when organic matter interacted with iron-rich rocks.
According to Joel Hurowitz, deputy principal investigator of the PIXL instrument on Perseverance’s robotic arm, the rock’s chemistry is consistent with low-temperature processes. Scientists suspect that water flowed into the crater eons ago, depositing mud loaded with organic compounds. The discovery raises hopes for finding answers about whether life existed on Mars billions of years ago.
The findings come as NASA explores ways to return samples from Mars to Earth, a mission currently plagued by delays and cost overruns. However, experts say that analyzing the Cheyava Falls sample could be crucial in answering humanity’s most profound question: Are we alone in the universe?
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/search-for-life/poppy-seeds-and-leopard-spots-on-mars-could-hint-at-ancient-microbial-life