Mars, NASA and Quartz

NASA knows exactly where to look on Mars for signs of life
Since its arrival on the Martian surface five years ago, NASA’s Perseverance rover has been busy scouring the Red Planet for signs of life and evidence of Mars’ watery history. Now, thanks to its continued exploration, NASA might know exactly where to look for evidence of life on Mars, and it all begins with quartz crystals.
NASA Finds Pure Quartz on Mars—Could This Be Proof of Ancient Life?
NASA’s Perseverance rover has uncovered high-purity quartz crystals on Mars, a discovery that could reshape the search for ancient life on the Red Planet. The crystals, along with other minerals such as opal,
Quartz crystals on Mars could preserve signs of ancient life
NASA’s Perseverance rover found large crystals of quartz with a high purity on Mars, which probably had to have formed in the presence of hot water
Scientists Discover New Method to Detect Life on Mars
Researchers have developed a promising technique to identify potential microbial fossils on Mars. Sulfate minerals like gypsum, abundant on the Martian surface, may hold clues to ancient life.
New Mars life detection method strengthens sample return safety protocols
Within the next decade, space agencies plan to bring samples of rock from Mars to Earth for study. Of concern is the possibility these samples contain life, which could have unforeseen consequences. Therefore,
Scientific American17h
If Life on Mars Ever Existed, This Bizarre Rock May Tell Us
The intriguing chemistry of a rock collected by the Perseverance rover could trace to microbial activity—or not ...
Space.com on MSN10h
'Poppy seeds' and 'leopard spots' on Mars could hint at ancient microbial life
An arrowhead-shaped rock on Mars sporting features that may hint at ancient microbial activity on the Red Planet has left ...
Earth.com1d
Astonishing discovery of minerals on Mars hints at a habitable past
NASA’s Perseverance rover found pale rocks containing kaolinite on Mars, a mineral that forms in warm, wet conditions.
Knowridge Science Report7h
New tech makes Mars sample return safer than ever
In the next decade, space agencies plan to bring rock samples from Mars to Earth. But what if these rocks contain alien ...
Smithsonian Magazine on MSN8d
Scientists Hope This Tool Could Identify Tiny Fossils on Mars, Revealing Hints to Potential Early Life on the Planet
If Mars ever hosted microorganisms in its bygone oceans, their fossils might still be preserved in minerals—and now, we have ...
Earth.com13d
Did Mars once host life? We finally know where to look
Scientists found fossil-like traces in gypsum, suggesting ancient microbial life may have existed on Mars billions of years ...
The Brown Daily Herald4d
Brown researchers may have discovered why Mars is red, raising questions for previous life on the planet
The redness of Mars has made the planet one of the most recognizable in the solar system with its hue serving as a topic of ...
Nature3d
Did Mars harbour life? One of the strongest signs yet is spotted in a peculiar rock
The intriguing chemistry of a rock collected by the Perseverance rover could trace to microbial activity — or not.