Why NASA is studying 1.2-billion-year-old Scottish rocks for clues to ancient life on Mars and the Red Planet’s watery past

Ancient rocks found in Scotland's Stoer Formation are being studied by NASA to understand potential signs of life. These rocks formed 1.2 billion years ago under water-influenced environments and evidence of microbial life is preserved. NASA's Perseverance rover discovered a rock on Mars with distinctive mineral patterns that may indicate biological origins. The Scottish research helps interpret findings from Mars while preparing for possible future sample analysis.