Scientists say they have found new evidence of organic matter on Mars that could be linked to past life on the planet. The Perseverance explorer, which is operated by the American space agency NASA, discovered the organic materials. The explorer, or rover, has been collecting data on Mars since landing on the Red Planet in February 2021. The goal, or mission, of Perseverance is to collect Martian soil and rock material as part of a search for signs of ancient life. Scientists on Earth using the equipment on the rover examine this material as closely as possible. The collected soil and rocks are to be picked up in future missions and returned to Earth for examination. Researchers said the latest findings suggest the presence on the Martian surface of the same kinds of carbon “signals” that are linked to living organisms on Earth. The presence of carbon may suggest that biological life once existed on Mars.