LeadStory

Is there life on Mars?

Asked 3 hours ago

Answer

NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered a rock on Mars with markings that may be biosignatures of ancient Martian microbes, providing the clearest potential evidence yet of past life on the planet.

Now Playing

CBS News

Rocks found on Mars may hold potential signs of ancient life

CBS News ยท New
CBS News
CBS News
New
  • Perseverance rover has found a rock on Mars with potential signs of ancient life. 22s
  • NASA considers this rock possibly the most meaningful ever studied on Mars. 28s
  • Unique spots on the rock may be biosignatures of Martian microbes from over three billion years ago. 42s
  • The rock stood out because it looked different from others in the area. 54s
  • NASA scientists describe this as the most interesting observation in the search for life beyond Earth. 1m 0s
ScienceSpace Exploration

References

Rocks found on Mars may hold potential signs of ancient life
Icon
CBS News
10 hours ago
Rocks found on Mars may hold potential signs of ancient life

These spots on the rock make NASA giddy, a potential biosignature of Martian microbes in an ancient riverbed more than three billion years old.

Rocks found on Mars may hold potential signs of ancient life
Icon
CBS News
10 hours ago
Rocks found on Mars may hold potential signs of ancient life

This very well could be the clearest sign of life that we've ever found on Mars, which is incredibly exciting.

What Are People Asking?