First Signs Of Life On Mars, Courtesy NASA Rover. See Photo

New Delhi: The NASA Mars rover also known as NASA’s Perseverance rover has found an interesting rock that could be one of the best signs yet that ancient microbial life may have once existed on the Red Planet. However, the latest finding needs further analysis and research to ascertain the discovery. According to the Space Agency of the United States, the six-wheeled geologist found a fascinating rock that has some indications hinting that it may have hosted microbial life billions of years ago. NASA's Perseverance rover’s significant discovery on Mars is related to the discovery of an intriguing rock sample, nicknamed "Cheyava Falls," which contains organic molecules and structures that could have been formed by microbial life.

The rock was also found in an ancient river valley, which suggests that the area may have once been capable of supporting life. Following the latest indications, NASA issued a statement saying, ''The rock exhibits chemical signatures and structures that could have been formed by life billions of years ago when the area being explored by the rover contained running water.''

'This is the most compelling sample we've found yet': Perseverance Dy Project Scientist

According to the information, the arrowhead-shaped rock contains fascinating traits that may bear on the question of whether Mars was home to microscopic life in the distant past. Analysis by instruments aboard the rover indicates the rock possesses qualities that fit the definition of a possible indicator of ancient life.

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.

''We're not able to say that this is a sign of life. But this is the most compelling sample we've found yet,'' said Perseverance deputy project scientist Katie Stack Morgan of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena.

Rock core sample was collected on July 21

The rover's rock core sample was collected on July 21, as it explored the northern edge of Neretva Vallis, an ancient river valley measuring a quarter-mile wide that was carved by water rushing into Jezero Crater long ago. It measures 3.2 feet by 2 feet and was named after a Grand Canyon waterfall.

Ken Farley, the project scientist on the mission at the California Institute of Technology, said Cheyava Falls was ''the most puzzling, complex and potentially important rock yet investigated by Perseverance''.

''On the one hand, we have our first compelling detection of organic material, distinctive colourful 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. On the other hand, we have been unable to determine exactly how the rock formed and to what extent nearby rocks may have heated Cheyava Falls and contributed to these features,'' Mr Farley said.

Scientists will continue to analyse the rock

While the discovery is promising, further analysis is needed to confirm whether the structures and molecules are indeed evidence of ancient life on Mars. Scientists will now continue to study the rock sample and its structures.

''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,'' NASA added.

The rock — the rover’s 22nd rock core sample — was collected on July 21, as the rover explored the northern edge of Neretva Vallis, an ancient river valley measuring a quarter-mile (400 meters) wide that was carved by water rushing into Jezero Crater long ago.

“We have designed the route for Perseverance to ensure that it goes to areas with the potential for interesting scientific samples,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “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.”

‘Cheyava Falls’ can be formed by non-biological processes

Multiple scans of Cheyava Falls by the rover’s SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals) instrument indicate it contains organic compounds. While such carbon-based molecules are considered the building blocks of life, they also can be formed by non-biological processes.

“Cheyava Falls is the most puzzling, complex, and potentially important rock yet investigated by Perseverance,” said Ken Farley, Perseverance project scientist of Caltech in Pasadena.

He added, “On the one hand, we have our first compelling detection of organic material, distinctive colourful 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. On the other hand, we have been unable to determine exactly how the rock formed and to what extent nearby rocks may have heated Cheyava Falls and contributed to these features.”