Stunning new images from the ExoMars orbiter reveal ancient salt deposits on Mars, even forming a smiley face.

Scientists suggest the salt deposits could house ancient bacteria from an era when Mars may have had an environment conducive to life. In 2028, the ESA and NASA will launch the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover to drill deep below the Martian surface to search for remnants of microbial life .

The image was shared on Instagram by the European Space Agency (ESA), which has been monitoring the levels of methane and gas on Mars since 2016. In a caption accompanying the face, the ESA said: ‘Once a world of rivers,

A 'smiley face' has been discovered on the surface of Mars and scientists say this could show indicators of life on the planet. It can only be seen using infrared technology but it is the remnant of an ancient lake that dried up billions of years ago.