A long time ago, life left microscopic signatures on Mars — or did it? That’s the question NASA scientists have worked for years to answer. On Wednesday, NASA researchers said the answer might be in a rock sample that “contains potential biosignatures.”

NASA is bringing rocks back from Mars, but what if those samples contain alien life?

NASA and the European Space Agency are gearing up to bring home a pristine sample of Martian rock. But given the small chance of life on the red planet, they have to grapple with safety questions.

The finding, published Wednesday in the journal Nature , puts the agency one step closer to answering one of humanity’s most profound questions about life in the universe, said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s science mission directorate.

“Th

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