New mathematical analysis of 35-year-old data from the Mars Viking probes suggests that soil samples they retrieved may have contained microbial life, contrary to what had previously been concluded.
The original analysis of the Mars soil found evidence of microscopic biological processes, but lack of support from other experiments led scientists to believe the positive results were compromised.
The new analysis found the soil displayed a high level of mathematical complexity and evidence of circadian rhythms, strongly suggesting – though not yet confirming – the former presence of microbial life.
Read more at University of Southern California