According to reports, scientists have found direct evidence that indicates that life was earlier present on Mars. A gem stone called opal has been discovered by researchers and they think that the stone can help know the mystery of the planet, when it comes to presence of life.

Scientists said that the precious gem stone reached earth when a meteorite hit the Martian surface. According to reports, it was a strong collision, so much so that a part of Martian stone arrived on Earth in 1911. The opal has been discovered by researchers at the University of Glasgow. They obtained it from 1.7 gram stone named Nakhla.

According to researchers, although the size of opal is extremely small, its discovery is quite significant. It has been reported that opals exist on Earth near hot water springs and microbial life grows in conditions that are hot and humid. According to Professor Martin Lee of the University's School of Geographical and Earth Sciences and lead author of the research, opal is able to trap these microbes and preserve them for a number of years.

According to Lee, "The slice of Nakhla that we have is small, and the amount of fire opal we've found in it is even smaller, but our discovery of opal is significant for a couple of reasons". Lee added that a deep study of Martian opals by future missions to Mars could assist in learning more about the past of the planet and whether life existed on it.