Perseverance Rover Detects Potential Biosignatures in ‘Sapphire Canyon‘ Rock Sample
NASAS Perseverance rover has collected a rock sample from Mars, dubbed ‘Sapphire Canyon,’ that scientists believe may hold the strongest evidence yet for ancient microbial life on the planet. The sample, taken in July 2024 from the Bright Angel formation within Jezero Crater, exhibits mineral adn chemical characteristics suggestive of past biological activity.
The rock originates from Cheyava Falls, a section of mudstone outcrops in Neretva Vallis, an ancient river valley that once fed into Jezero Crater. Mudstones are considered prime locations to search for evidence of past life due to their formation in underwater environments billions of years ago.
Analysis of Sapphire Canyon revealed the presence of vivianite (an iron phosphate) and greigite (iron sulphide). These minerals are often associated with microbial metabolisms on Earth, particularly those utilizing organic compounds in damp, cold conditions, and appear to have formed from chemical processes involving organic waste and sediments shortly after deposition on the lakebed.
Notably, the sample also contains organic carbon closely linked to these mineral signatures, alongside unusual textures – small, speckled formations resembling “leopard spots” and “poppy seeds” embedded within the reddish mudstone. Researchers, including Dr. Michael Tice of Texas A&M University, confirm that the rock’s composition indicates it was never subjected to heating that would alter these textures.
While NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy called the revelation “the clearest sign of life that we have ever found on Mars,” scientists emphasize the need for further inquiry. The observed mineral compositions and textures could perhaps be produced by non-biological geological processes.Perseverance’s onboard instruments are currently unable to definitively distinguish between biological and purely chemical origins for these features. Katie Stack morgan, Perseverance’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, stressed the need for “extraordinary evidence” to support astrobiological claims.
Sence landing in Jezero Crater in February 2021, the Perseverance rover has collected a total of 27 rock cores, including Sapphire Canyon. The rover is also equipped with tools to study spacesuit material performance on Mars and a weather station to gather environmental data for future human missions.
