NASA is preparing to announce its strongest evidence yet for life on Mars

Perseverance, continuing its exploration of the Martian surface, has generated excitement in the scientific community with a sample it retrieved from an ancient river valley on the rim of Jezero Crater, known as Sapphire Canyon. The triangular-shaped rock features white spots and black borders that are similar to fossilized microbes on Earth.

The "leopard spot"-like markings observed in the rock are thought to be fossil remains of microorganisms that lived underground. Furthermore, the detection of organic compounds, calcium sulfate veins, and iron-phosphate-rich areas further strengthens the possibility of life.

These striking analyses were performed using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR), a technique developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Using two lasers, the chemical makeup of the rock's components was examined at a microscopic level. This technique provides higher resolution and more detailed data in less time than traditional spectroscopy.

Perseverance, which landed on Mars in February 2021, has collected a total of 30 rock and soil samples to date. However, scientists believe the Sapphire Canyon sample contains the strongest evidence yet encountered in the search for life on Mars.

NASA is expected to explain in detail what these findings mean, and all eyes are on the press conference to be held.