NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars, uncovering pure quartz crystals and other gems like opal. These findings suggest that past hydrothermal activity may have created conditions suitable for life on the Red Planet.
The rover arrived at Jezero crater in 2020, exploring the lakebed formed by an asteroid impact. Last year, it began ascending the crater’s rim, where researchers discovered the quartz crystals and other gemstones. This discovery has significant implications, as the presence of these minerals could indicate well-preserved signs of ancient Martian life.
The Perseverance rover is now poised to explore the upper regions of Jezero crater, searching for further evidence of past hydrothermal activity and potential biosignatures.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2471954-quartz-crystals-on-mars-could-preserve-signs-of-ancient-life