US EditionNASA Says Perseverance's 'Sapphire Canyon' Sample Holds Potential Biosignature
- On July 21, 2024, NASA's Perseverance rover drilled into Cheyava Falls in Jezero Crater, Mars, and collected its 25th sample named Sapphire Canyon.
- This event followed Perseverance's exploration of Jezero Crater since February 2021, aiming to find potential signs of ancient life in clay-rich, mudstone rocks of Neretva Vallis.
- Researchers identified iron phosphate and sulfide nodules linked with organic carbon, suggesting complex low-temperature redox reactions that might indicate biological processes or non-biological chemistry.
- Lead researcher Joel Hurowitz said, "We can't go so far as to say, 'A-ha, this is proof positive of life,'" while Janice Bishop and Mario Parente highlighted the need to rule out non-biological explanations.
- NASA's Mars Sample Return program plans to retrieve these samples for Earth-based lab analysis, but budget and priorities put the mission on hold, delaying definitive life confirmation.
293 Articles
293 Articles
On Mars, the Nasa Rover "Perseverance" has found an eye-catching rock sample. According to the U.S. Space Agency, it could contain traces of earlier life. For clear results, further investigations are needed.
Speckled rocks ‘clearest sign’ yet of ancient life on Mars, Nasa says
Colorful, speckled rocks found on the surface of Mars have offered among the most encouraging evidence yet of ancient life on our neighbouring planet, scientists at Nasa announced Wednesday. The Perseverance Mars rover collected the “Sapphire Canyon” rock samples in July 2024 from what’s thought to be an ancient lake bed, and its poppyseed and leopard-esque spots pointed to potential chemical reactions that piqued the interest of researchers. If…
NASA Perseverance Rover’s Stunning Find May Be Mars’ First Sign of Life
NASA’s Perseverance rover has identified its most compelling evidence yet for ancient microbial life on Mars. A rock sample dubbed “Sapphire Canyon,” collected from the Bright Angel formation in Jezero Crater, shows mineral and chemical patterns that resemble biosignatures—possible traces of past microbial activity. These “leopard spots,” rich in iron-based minerals, could have been formed [...]
The Nasa announced Wednesday, September 10, that it had discovered potential traces of life passed on Mars, bio-signatures, residuals of the activity of organisms in a distant past on the red planet. But many elements remain to be verified before considering that we are no longer alone in the Universe.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
