NASA hasn't found life on Mars yet – but signs are promising
New Scientist2 days
NASA Rover Finds Strongest Evidence Yet of Ancient Mars Life
Above: NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars' Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021. Image copyright: NASA/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The breakthrough discovery of these leopard-spotted rocks brings us tantalizingly close to confirming life beyond Earth. The mineral signatures found — vivianite and greigite associated with organic compounds — match exactly what microbial life produces on our planet. After exhaustive analysis, no geological process can adequately explain these patterns.
Narrative B
While intriguing, these findings fall short of proving Martian life and signify another case of scientists getting ahead of the evidence. The same mineral patterns can form through purely chemical processes over billions of years without any biological involvement. Until samples return to Earth for laboratory analysis, claims about ancient aliens remain premature speculation.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 10% chance that we will find life on Mars by 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
The Controversies
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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.15.2