NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered indications of past flowing water on Mars

Mars, a planet steeped in human fascination for ages, stands out with its distinctive red color visible to the naked eye. Throughout history, it has been imagined as a realm of gods, aliens, and invaders. Scientific research has led to the belief that Mars once had water on its surface and possibly harbored life, though definitive evidence of the latter is yet to be discovered. Scientists are confident, however, that Mars was once a planet rich in water.

NASA’s Perseverance rover, currently exploring the Martian surface, has recently uncovered signs of past water activity. A photo released by NASA this month shows an intriguing array of rocks and pebbles in the Jezero Crater, captured by Perseverance’s Mastcam-Z camera. This area, named ‘Castell Henllys’ within the crater, displays geological features that NASA believes were transported by strong floodwaters billions of years ago.

One of Perseverance’s key goals is to seek astrobiological evidence, which includes finding definitive proof of life on another planet. This life might not resemble the stereotypical aliens popularized in media but could be as simple as microorganisms or their fossilized remains.

The quest for water on other planets is rooted in Earth’s own evolutionary history. Life on Earth, which began in water as microorganisms and evolved into more complex aquatic beings, suggests that water is crucial for the development of life. Hence, the presence of water on a planet increases the likelihood of life forms. Besides Mars, Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, is a prime candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life. Covered in ice, scientists speculate that a vast liquid ocean beneath Europa’s icy surface could potentially support life.