Nasa reveals clearest ever signs of life on mars in major discovery

(Web Desk) - Nasa has revealed the clearest signs of life on Mars ever after making an incredible rover discovery.

Evidence of ancient alien microbes have been uncovered in a dry river channel formed roughly 3.7 billion years ago, scientists reported Wednesday.

A sample obtained by Nasa's Perseverance rover found sediment on the bottom of the ancient Neretva Vallis lake which points towards potential signs of ancient microbial life, according to scientists.

Researchers say the rocks contain tiny dark specks which are less than a millimetre in length and have been nicknamed "poppy seeds".

Other sediments found contain larger dark-rimmed rosettes with lighter centres - dubbed "leopard spots".

Both speckles are said to be rich in iron and phosphorus.

These chemicals can form when tiny microbes break down organic material - a sign of life back down on Earth.

Scientists also found vein-like structures believed to be white calcium sulfate.

Between these veins sat a material with a reddish color suggesting the presence of hematite - one of the minerals which gives Mars its distinctive colour.

The age of the samples collected by Perseverance are estimated to be aged somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 billion years old.

Each of the rocks are now due to be taken for in-depth analysis.

They are sealed inside Perseverance along with a number of rock cores awaiting a potential trip back to Earth.

The Perseverance - the same size as a standard car - has been roaming Mars since 2021.

It carries a drill to penetrate rocks and tubes to hold the samples gathered from places judged most suitable for hosting life billions of years ago.

The discovery is one of the best pieces of evidence to date about the possibility that Mars once harbored life.

Sean Duffy, the acting Nasa administrator, said: "A year ago, we thought we found what we believe to be signs of microbial life on the Mars surface.