Were aliens enjoying hot springs on Mars 4.5 billion years ago? Here's what ancient evidence hints at

A mysterious black rock has been found by scientists on Mars which suggested that the Red Planet had hot springs billions of years ago.

In new research, scientists have found new evidence which has hinted at the existence of water on the planet more than four billion years ago, which has hinted at the planet being habitable.

A sample of the meteorite was examined by academics from Curtin University in Australia, and while looking at a grain of the black crystal rock called zicron, the experts were able to find evidence that hinted at the planet being hospitable long ago.

Also read: Did NASA accidentally kill living creatures on Mars? Here's what a scientist claimed

Scientists discovered that the sample dated back to 4.45 billion years ago when it has been estimated that planet Earth was formed. 

Fingerprints on water of grain?

During the study of the rock, scientists found 'fingerprints' on the water of the grain, which hinted at the existence of hot water on the Red Planet. 

It is believed to have existed like hydrothermal springs, which are heated by magma that flows under the crust of the planet.

As per the experts, hot springs play an important role in life which evolves on Earth. The evidence of the existence of such springs suggests that the Red Planet may have possessed the ability to support ancient life.

Speaking to The Sun, the study's co-author, Dr Aaron Cavosie, said that nano-scale geochemistry was used for finding the evidence of hot water on the planet.

"Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth, and our findings suggest Mars also had water, a key ingredient for habitable environments, during the earliest history of crust formation," said Dr Cavosie while speaking to the publication.

Watch: Did Life Exist In Hot Water On Mars Billions Of Years Ago?

"Through nano-scale imaging and spectroscopy, the team identified element patterns in this unique zircon, including iron, aluminium, yttrium and sodium," he added.

"These elements were added as the zircon formed 4.45 billion years ago, suggesting water was present during early Martian magmatic activity. This new study takes us a step further in understanding early Mars, by way of identifying tell-tale signs of water-rich fluids from when the grain formed, providing geochemical markers of water in the oldest known Martian crust," Dr Cavosie further stated. 

This discovery comes after the Mars Rover of NASA found the first "possible" signs of the existence of life on the planet.

(With inputs from agencies)