Image: NASA
The region, known for containing interesting features and rock anomalies like the hematite spheres known as "Blueberries," which were discovered on a rocky outcrop inside Eagle Crater, is now yielding yet another mystery that could potentially change our understanding of biology on the red planet.
According to the study, sequential photographs taken over several seasons on Mars, reveal a crop of puffball-like specimens similar to Basidiomycotaa - a fungal organism found on earth. Much to the surprise of the researchers, the mysterious mushrooms were seen to be re-growing inside the soil tracks of the Martian rover after being previously ran over by the science vehicle, a compelling indication of some sort of underlying biology.
Image: NASA
Further photo analysis also shows areas previously devoid of the spherical oddities suddenly occupied by the plant-like structures. At present, it's unknown what mechanism is at work or how these potential organisms are surviving the harsh conditions on Mars, but NASA is looking into it and soon we will know whether life is officially present on our red neighbor.
Image: NASA
(PDF) Fungi on Mars? Evidence of Growth and Behavior From Sequential Images
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