NASA scientists have discovered compelling new evidence indicating that Mars might once have supported life, similar to that which exists on Earth today.
On September 10, 2025, NASA announced new findings from a sample called ‘Sapphire Canyon’, collected by the Perseverance Mars rover from a rock named ‘Cheyava Falls’ on the Red Planet in July 2024.
After a year of analysis, scientists have confirmed that the sample contains a “potential biosignature”, marking the strongest evidence yet found by the space agency of ancient microbial life in its 60 years of exploring Mars.
According to NASA scientists, a potential biosignature is a “substance or structure that might have a biological origin but requires more data or further study before a conclusion can be reached about the absence or presence of life”.
NASA said that the rock was found at Cheyava Falls while exploring the ‘Bright Angel’ formation, a set of rocky outcrops on the northern and southern edges of Neretva Vallis, an ancient river valley on the planet.
After a year of scientific scrutiny, a rock sample collected by the Perseverance rover has been confirmed to contain a potential biosignature. The sample is the best candidate so far to provide evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars. https://t.co/0BAO1dhMG8 pic.twitter.com/JsOXgrNDmY
— NASA Mars (@NASAMars) September 10, 2025
NASA Administrator and Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Sean Duffy described the new discovery as “groundbreaking”, stating that this finding is “the closest we have ever come to discovering life on Mars”.
Rock sample shows possible microbe clues
The rover’s science instruments found that the formation’s sedimentary rocks were composed of clay and silt, which, on Earth, are “excellent preservers” of past microbial life, according to NASA. They also are rich in organic carbon, sulfur, oxidized iron (rust), and phosphorus, the agency noted.
Additionally, during the study of the arrowhead-shaped rock ‘Cheyava Falls’, scientists discovered colorful spots that might indicate the presence of microbial life, assuming it utilized the rock’s raw materials for energy.
High-resolution images revealed a mineral pattern that the team referred to as “leopard spots”. These spots included two iron-rich minerals: vivianite, typically found in Earth’s sediments and decaying organic matter; plus greigite, which can be formed by certain microbes on Earth.
NASA said that the combination of these minerals may be “a potential fingerprint for microbial life”, since microbes can utilize such reactions to produce energy.
However, the agency noted that these minerals can also develop without biological activity under conditions of high heat, acidity, or in the presence of specific organic compounds.
At ‘Bright Angel’, the rocks do not exhibit signs of high heat or acidity. As such, NASA has declared itself still uncertain as to whether the organic compounds present could have caused the reaction on their own.
Mars may have supported life longer than believed
Moreover, scientists said that the finding was “especially surprising” because it relates to some of the youngest sedimentary rocks examined during the mission.
An earlier hypothesis suggested that evidence of ancient life would be limited to older rock formations.
The new discovery indicates that Mars may have been suitable for life for a longer time, or later in its history, than was previously believed, and that older rocks might also contain signs of life, but they are simply harder to detect, according to NASA.
Tracing clues of past life
The agency was clear that it doesn’t expect to find living things on Mars.
Instead, scientists are looking for signs of ancient life – proof of what NASA missions have long suggested, showing that the planet was wetter, warmer, and had a thicker atmosphere billions of years ago.
The recent findings offer the first clue of such life.
