A 'spooky smiley face' appears on Mars. Scientists say it's hiding life forms...

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned.

According to the scientists, this salt deposit may have concealed the remnants of the last surviving life forms on Mars.

Mars had vast lakes and rivers billions of years ago, which disappeared during a catastrophic global freeze.

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The researchers have proposed that this emoticon-shaped salt deposit may be harbouring hardy microbes.

Also Read:Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance

The image has been captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter of the European Space Agency.

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a Martian satellite which has been hunting signs of life on Mars and has taken stunning images of the chloride salt deposits on the arid surface of Mars.

Scientists by studying these salt deposits can find clues regarding the past climate, geology, and potential habitability of the planet.

''Why so serious? Once a world of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, Mars now reveals its secrets through chloride salt deposits found by our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. These deposits, remnants of ancient water bodies, could indicate habitable zones from billions of years ago. The discovery of nearly a thousand potential sites offers new insights into Mars' climate and potential for past life. Explore the Martian landscape in this carousel,'' read the post shared by ESA.

Watch:China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

Explaining the salt deposits on Mars, planetary scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland Valentin Bickel said, ''A cold era began when Mars lost its magnetic field and could no longer hold its atmosphere, leading to water evaporating, freezing, or becoming trapped within the surface. As the water disappeared over time, it left mineral fingerprints on the surface. Very salty waters could have become a haven for life, a beacon for habitable places on Mars. High concentrations of salt allow water to remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius."

Here's how people reacted to the post

Reacting to the European Space Agency's post, one user said, ''That's so beautiful.'' "Why so cheesy," commented another.

''With this face shape, we have to wait for ridiculous theories,'' wrote a user.

''It would be great if there were some scale references to get the size of these craters," another commented.

“The first one reminds me of Jack Skeleton,” said an Instagram user.

“Well, well, it looks familiar to me," wrote another. “Way too serious," said a user.

(With inputs from agencies)