CaliToday (11/9/2025): NASA announced today that a rock sample collected by the Perseverance Mars rover in Jezero Crater may contain evidence of ancient microbial life on the red planet.
The rover discovered a boulder nicknamed "Cheyava Falls" in July 2024. A sample drilled from this rock, dubbed "Sapphire Creek," has revealed what scientists are describing as "potential" biosignatures—substances or structures that could have biological origins but require further investigation to confirm.
These groundbreaking findings were published today in the journal Nature. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy stated that agency scientists believe, "This is very likely the clearest sign of life we have ever found on Mars."
The discovery raises the possibility that Mars may have been habitable for much longer than previously thought. In a press conference held earlier today, the study's lead author, Joel Hurowitz from Stony Brook University, emphasized the need for further analysis. "Ultimately, we need to bring the sample back to Earth so we can determine what process created these amazing textures," he said.
This development comes at a critical time for NASA's Mars exploration program. The President's proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year does not include funding for the original Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, which is designed to bring samples like Sapphire Creek back to Earth.
However, the acting administrator noted that the agency will review its budget, timeline, and available technology to explore options for retrieving the sample on an accelerated schedule.
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