NASA's Perseverance rover is investigating signs of ancient life on Mars, and has now collected some of the most promising samples from the Red Planet yet.
According to NASA, several rock samples containing organic matter were found in Jezero Crater, a 28-mile wide crater.
Home to what scientists believe was once a river delta that formed about 3.5 billion years ago.
Perseverance launched in July 2020, and made its February 2021 landing in Jezero Crater.
Since July 7 of this year, NASA says, the rover has collected four samples from the delta bringing the total number of collected, "scientifically compelling rock samples" to 12.
Perseverance is currently studying the delta's sedimentary rocks. The rover previously explored Jezero Crater's floor, finding igneous rocks.
The contrast of the two "provides us with a rich understanding of the geologic history after the crater formed and a diverse sample suite," Farley said.
In Study organic molecules were found in "Wildcat Ridge," a 3 foot-wide rock believed to have formed with mud and fine sand in an evaporating saltwater lake billions of years ago.
According to NASA, Curiosity Mars rover previously found evidence of organic matter in rock-powder samples back in 2013.
Perseverance has also detected organics in Jezero Crater before, but the latest finding was made in an area with conditions that would've allowed life to exist in the distant past.