NASA’s Perseverance Rover Finds ‘Poppy Seeds’ and ‘Leopard Spots’ on Mars, Could Be Signs of Ancient Life

Perseverance Rover has in its custody many intriguing samples from Mars. One of them is an arrowhead-shaped rock, which has perplexed scientists with its features, according to Space. Researchers believe that the features imply the presence of past and even possibly present life on the planet. The problem is that scientists can't examine it. 

The rock labelled 'Cheyava Falls' was extracted from the Jezero Crater. It was placed at the edge of an ancient river valley known as Neretva Vallis, which ran along the inner wall of the crater. Experts noted several spots on the rock. These markings exhibited black, blue, or greenish hues and were nicknamed 'poppy seeds' by experts. Alongside these spots, experts have also located dozens of millimeter-sized etchings, which they called 'leopard spots.'

The PIXL instrument in the rover also detected that the markings and patterns on the rock could be indicative of iron oxidation variations, according to The Daily Galaxy. The process has been linked to microbial respiration on Earth, according to researchers. This could be another proof of 'life' on the planet. If the profound discovery turns out to be true, this would indicate that life is not unique to Earth and change the way experts approach Mars. 

'Cheyava Falls' is the 22nd rock sample extracted by the rover, according to Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA announced that the sample was collected on July 21, 2024. Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, claimed that the scientists had never seen anything like the rock before on the Red Planet. Equipment like the rover’s SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals) was utilized to scan the rock. 

The results revealed the presence of organic compounds containing carbon-based molecules. As per past studies, such molecules act as building blocks of life. The sample measures around 3.2 feet by 2 feet (1 meter by 0.6 meters) and was named after a waterfall in the Grand Canyon.

The chemical composition of the rock indicated to researchers that there is a possibility that 'Cheyava Falls' was formed using water and other organic processes, stated The Daily Galaxy. If the assertion turns out to be true, then that means there was biological activity on Mars when the rock was being formed. The belief aligns with previous theories about Neretva Vallis, where the rock was found. 

For a long time, researchers have suspected that the site could hold evidence of Mars' wetter past. 'Cheyava Falls,' with its possible organic compounds, backs this hypothesis. Further examination also indicated that the rock has calcium sulfate veins. Such formations emerge when rocks interact with water. All of these showcase that there is a valid possibility that the Red Planet was once flowing with water, an important medium for life to emerge and develop. 

Amidst all the excitement about the possibility of 'alien' life on Mars, some scientists are suggesting caution. The features on 'Cheyava Falls' that imply life could very well have been formed by non-biological processes, like volcanic activity, according to them. Though until now, Rover has not detected any telltale signs of volcanic alterations on the sample. The Rover does not have the required instruments to detect life, and the only way to confirm if Mars had life in the past or beings in the present is by analyzing the sample on Earth. 

The pursuit is not easy, as the cost of bringing back the samples has been estimated to be $11 billion, which authorities have not approved. Currently, NASA is trying to come up with a project that will require a reduced budget. If everything remains on track, the plan is to bring these samples back between 2035 and 2039.