PASADENA, Calif. — A rover operated by NASA has captured images of unusual “spiderweb-like” patterns etched into Martian rock — formations scientists say could offer fresh clues about the Red Planet’s watery past.

The intricate, branching patterns were photographed by the Perseverance rover as it continues its exploration of Jezero Crater, a region believed to have once hosted an ancient lake billions of years ago.

NASA’s Curiosity rover has spent six months exploring Mars, with scientists say they have spotted a hilly landscape that looks like spiderwebs.

What Are the ‘Spiderwebs’?

Researchers describe the formations as mineral veins crisscrossing through rock, creating web-like geometries. On Earth, similar features often form when groundwater flows through cracks in rock, depositing minerals that later harden into visible patterns.

“These textures are intriguing because they can be associated with fluid movement through the subsurface,” a NASA scientist said in a mission update.

If confirmed to be mineral veins formed by water, the discovery would add to growing evidence that Mars once had persistent liquid water — a key ingredient for life as we know it.

“A hilly landscape that looks like spiderwebs when viewed from orbit holds clues to the history of water on ancient Mars,” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said.

Clues Locked in Stone

Perseverance’s mission includes collecting rock samples that may eventually be returned to Earth for detailed laboratory analysis. Scientists say closer inspection of the mineral composition could determine whether the formations were created by water, volcanic activity or other geological processes.

The rover has already identified clay minerals and sedimentary layers in Jezero Crater, reinforcing the theory that the region once supported a lake and possibly habitable conditions.

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The rover also discovered bumpy textures called nodules, a sign of past groundwater that has been seen by Curiosity and during other Mars missions before, but this time were found along a ridge’s walls and at the hollows.

A Step Toward Bigger Questions

While the “spiderwebs” alone do not prove the past presence of life, they contribute to a broader picture of Mars as a planet that was once far wetter and potentially more hospitable.

NASA officials say further imaging and chemical analysis are underway. If the patterns are indeed tied to ancient groundwater systems, they could represent one of the clearest visual signs yet of Mars’ dynamic and watery history.

For scientists searching for signs of past life, every unusual pattern etched into Martian rock brings them one step closer to answering the enduring question: Was Mars ever truly alive?