NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover has made significant discoveries, pushing forward its mission to uncover ancient Martian secrets. After a brief period of system verification and remote testing, the rover is now conducting geological experiments at three distinct sites in Jezero Crater.
At “Mill Brook,” the rover conducted an abrasion experiment using remote sensing instruments to analyze the rock surface’s composition and texture. The SuperCam instrument captured data on rocks with low-calcium pyroxene, a mineral type of interest for scientists. The rover also imaged its workspace using Mastcam-Z, providing valuable insights.
Perseverance then traveled 140 meters to “Blue Hill” at “Shallow Bay,” where the rover discovered a rich source of low-calcium pyroxene rocks. This find is significant as it suggests a potential link to a larger rock unit visible in orbital HiRISE images. The science team has prioritized sampling this Noachian-aged outcrop, which offers a rare window into Mars’ deep past.
The rover successfully cored and sealed a 2.9-centimeter rock sample from Blue Hill, officially named “Silver Mountain.” This marks the first Noachian-aged outcrop sample in the mission’s history, providing crucial data for future Mars Sample Return analyses.
As Perseverance continues its journey through Jezero Crater, it is now focusing on serpentine-bearing rocks, which may hold clues about past water activity and potential habitability. With each step forward, the rover brings us closer to understanding Mars’ complex history. Stay tuned for the next chapter in Mars exploration!
Source: https://science.nasa.gov/blog/persevering-through-science