NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on the Martian surface. The rover has uncovered evidence of an ancient lake that once existed on Mars, providing crucial insights into the planet’s past.
According to NASA scientists, the rover’s findings suggest that the lake was present around 3.5 billion years ago, during a time when Mars was much warmer and wetter than it is today. The discovery is significant because it provides evidence of a watery environment on Mars in the distant past, which could have supported life.
The Perseverance rover has been exploring Jezero crater, where the lake once existed. By analyzing sedimentary rocks and observing geological features, scientists were able to reconstruct the ancient lake’s shape, size, and composition. The findings indicate that the lake was about 45 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, with a depth of around 100 meters.
This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of Mars’ history and potential habitability. NASA’s Perseverance rover continues to explore the Martian surface, uncovering new secrets about the planet’s past and its potential for supporting life in the present.
Source: https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2024-08-15