By Dean Murray

Researchers say life on Mars may be hidden in caves.

A new study suggests eight "skylights" may be entrances to underground spaces where evidence of ancient microbial organisms could be found.

Previously highlighted caves were likely formed by flowing molten lava, but the caves located in the Hebrus Valles (HV) region were carved by water and may have offered life-sustaining conditions.

The discovery is significant because these "karstic" caves could have held stable, watery micro-environments protected from Mars ' harsh radiation and temperature extremes, conditions favorable to life or the preservation of biosignatures.

The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters , suggests the evidence might point to "subsurface void evolution" and HV would be a c

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