NASA just released an image that sparked a wave of speculation—again. A tiny, coral-like structure captured by the Curiosity rover is raising eyebrows and reigniting questions about possible signs of life on Mars.
But before we jump to conclusions, let’s look at what we really know.
Such great evidence for ancient water. Not an actual coral fossil, obviously, but clear errosion evidence. Curiosity rover such a good kid.https://t.co/cnVsjagQU9 pic.twitter.com/RZTUFfullz
— Sebastian S. Cocioba🪄🌷 (@ATinyGreenCell) August 7, 2025
It looks like coral—but it’s just ancient rock
On August 4, 2025, Curiosity sent back a close-up black-and-white image of a 2.5 cm object that, at first glance, looks strikingly like a piece of coral. Naturally, that set off excitement. But NASA researchers quickly clarified: what you’re seeing isn’t fossilized Martian life—it’s a rock sculpted by billions of years of water and wind.
According to NASA, these formations are common. Long ago, when liquid water still existed on Mars, it carried dissolved minerals into cracks in rock. As the water evaporated, it left behind hardened deposits. Over time, Martian winds sandblasted away the surrounding stone, leaving behind odd, beautiful shapes.
This newly imaged rock even resembles one spotted by Curiosity just days earlier.
An image taken by Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager on July 24, 2025, shows a coral-shaped rock about 5 centimeters long that scientists have nicknamed “Paposo.” © Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA
A known process—on both planets
Scientists say this kind of structure isn’t unique to Mars. Similar geological formations occur here on Earth. The same weathering process once created a small, flower-shaped rock—also discovered by Curiosity—that’s no bigger than a coin.
This image was also taken by the Mars Hand Lens Imager camera on the Curiosity rover. It was on February 24, 2022. A “flower” formed by minerals carried by water. © NASA
So while the new image is certainly intriguing, it’s not a smoking gun. It does, however, provide more evidence of past liquid water on Mars—a key factor in understanding whether life could have once existed there.
No aliens—yet
Curiosity has been exploring Mars since 2012, covering more than 35 kilometers inside Gale Crater. Its mission: to look for evidence of past habitability. And while it hasn’t found direct signs of life, it has revealed a rich geological story shaped by water.
The latest photo is a reminder of how strange—and familiar—Mars can be. The search for life continues, but for now, science says: it’s just a rock.
Nathalie Mayer
Journalist
Born in Lorraine on a freezing winter night, storytelling has always inspired me, first through my grandmother’s tales and later Stephen King’s imagination. A physicist turned science communicator, I’ve collaborated with institutions like CEA, Total, Engie, and Futura. Today, I focus on unraveling Earth’s complex environmental and energy challenges, blending science with storytelling to illuminate solutions.
