We've had a quick first-look at the latest episode of The Sky at Night, due to be broadcast this evening, Monday 13 July 2026, and are very excited to report it's going to feature some new research strengthening the case that Mars could once have hosted life.
The programme will be screened on BBC Four at 10pm and features an exclusive interview with a researcher from the University of Edinburgh behind a newly-published paper that delves into mysterious 'leopard spot' markings discovered by NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars.
Similar patterns are found on rocks on Earth, including on Scotland's North Berwick coastline, where scientists have long suspected they may be linked to ancient bacterial activity.
Now, scientists have taken a significant step towards testing that theory, demonstrating for the first time that bacteria can create markings like those seen on Earth—and so possibly on Mars too.
Could these strange spots be evidence of ancient Martian life?
The episode also explores the latest research into possible life in the clouds of Venus, and a newly identified mineral that could help scientists target the most promising locations in the hidden oceans beneath the surface of icy moons such as Europa and Enceladus.
For the full story, watch The Sky at Night tonight, 13th July 2026, 10pm on BBC Four.
