Unusual stone from Mars baffles researchers

NASA's spacecraft Perseverance has found a stone on Mars that can show that there have been microorganisms on the planet billions of years ago.

» Published:

Unusual stone from Mars baffles researchers
Photo: Nasa/AP/TT

Share this article

Nasa's spacecraft Perseverance has found a stone on Mars that may indicate that microorganisms existed on the planet billions of years ago.

The stone has, among other things, white veins of calcium sulfate that could be evidence that water – which is crucial for life – once flowed through the rock where the stone was found. It also has so-called leopard spots.

On Earth, these types of features in stones are often associated with fossilized microorganisms beneath the surface, says David Flannery, astrobiologist at the University of Queensland, Australia, and member of the scientific team behind Perseverance.

The stone, which has been named Cheyava Falls, was found on July 21 in an old river valley on Mars. It is described as the most "perplexing, complex, and potentially important stone yet examined by Perseverance".

If it were to contain actual fossilized microorganisms, it could be the first evidence of life outside of Earth.

The hope is that the stone can be brought to Earth for further examination.

Perseverance arrived on Mars in 2021 and has the task of searching for signs of ancient life, among other things, in stone.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Potential Death Penalty

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Potential Death Penalty

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza as "Bloodbath"

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza as "Bloodbath"

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas

Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect to Be Extradited to Germany

Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect to Be Extradited to Germany

Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett Call Netflix Documentary Problematic

Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett Call Netflix Documentary Problematic

UN Investigator Alleges Genocide by Israel in Gaza Strip

UN Investigator Alleges Genocide by Israel in Gaza Strip

Ukrainian Children Taken to Over 210 Locations in Russia and Occupied Areas

Ukrainian Children Taken to Over 210 Locations in Russia and Occupied Areas

Trump and Zelenskyj Likely to Meet in New York Next Week

Trump and Zelenskyj Likely to Meet in New York Next Week