Perseverance has analyzed a rock in Jezero Crater that shows signs of chemical reactions hinting at ancient life. This interesting rock, shaped like an arrowhead and dubbed ‘Cheyava Falls,’ may be among the most groundbreaking finds on Mars. Its significance lies in the chemical markers and formations within it, which could have originated from primitive extraterrestrial life billions of years ago, during a time when Mars was far more habitable. “Cheyava Falls is the most puzzling, complex, and potentially important rock yet investigated by Perseverance,” said NASA’s Ken Farley. “On the one hand, we have our first compelling detection of organic material, distinctive colorful spots indicative of chemical reactions that microbial life could use as an energy source, and clear evidence that water – necessary for life – once passed through the rock.” “On the other hand, we have been unable to determine exactly how the rock formed and to what extent nearby rocks may have heated Cheyava Falls and contributed to these features.” Although it’s still early in the investigation and we should temper our excitement, Cheyava Falls holds the potential to be one of the most groundbreaking discoveries ever. It could provide evidence that life may have originated on a planet other than Earth. “These spots are a big surprise. On Earth, these types of features in rocks are often associated with the fossilized record of microbes living in the subsurface.” said astrobiologist David Flannery of the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. The post NASA’s Rover Find Potential Evidence of Ancient Martian Life appeared first on Anomalien.com.