Light On Mars: What Lies Behind The Spark?

A scientist has dashed hopes that an unexplained light on Mars may be proof of life.

Images picked up last week by Nasa's Curiosity rover appeared to suggest an artificial light coming from the red planet.

A bright speck was caught on camera and the pictures were then sent back to Earth.

Space enthusiasts were quick to suggest the images might be proof of intelligent life on Mars.

The light is probably not evidence of Martians, says one expert

Now, however, Doug Ellison from JPL, Nasa's robotic exploration wing, has said the light source is probably easily explainable and does not represent proof of Martians.

The light source was probably a "cosmic ray hit", Mr Ellison told NBC news, a result of high energy particles hitting the surface of the planet.