Context:
On 10 September 2025, scientists reported that a rock sample collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover from Mars’ Jezero Crater shows potential signs of ancient microbial life, though non-biological processes cannot be ruled out. The findings were published in Nature journal.
Key Highlights:
- Sample Name: Sapphire Canyon sample.
- Location: Bright Angel rock formation in Jezero Crater, believed to be an ancient lake basin formed ~3.5 billion years ago.
- Rock Type: Sedimentary rocks – mudstones and conglomerates.
- Detected Minerals (Potential Biosignatures):
- Vivianite (iron phosphate).
- Greigite (iron sulfide).
About Perseverance Rover
- Landed: February 2021.
- Mission Goal: Explore Jezero Crater, collect rock and regolith samples, and seek signs of ancient microbial life.
- Long-Term Plan: Samples may be returned to Earth in future NASA–ESA missions for deeper analysis.
