Overview

• The rover’s SHERLOC and PIXL instruments identified organic carbon tied to submillimetre nodules enriched in iron phosphate and iron sulfide, likely the minerals vivianite and greigite.
• The features occur in the Bright Angel formation at targets including Cheyava Falls, Walhalla Glades and Apollo Temple, where the 'Sapphire Canyon' rock sample was collected.
• Researchers describe the mineral–organic assemblages and distinctive 'poppyseed' and 'leopard spot' textures as the strongest in‑situ candidate for ancient microbial activity, while noting non‑biological origins remain plausible.
• The findings were published in Nature and unveiled Sept. 10, with NASA leaders calling the result possibly the clearest sign of past life yet and emphasizing the need for more data.
• Returning the sample for Earth‑based analysis is uncertain as Mars Sample Return has slipped toward the 2040s with an estimated $11 billion price tag and is under review for lower‑cost alternatives.