NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars, uncovering a diverse array of rocks that are providing scientists with a glimpse into the planet’s ancient history. The rover is currently exploring the rim of Jezero Crater, a dry depression north of the Martian equator, and has focused its attention on the layered terrain of Witch Hazel Hill.
Since reaching the crater’s western rim in December last year, the Perseverance rover has collected samples of five rocks, performed detailed analysis on seven others, and zapped an additional 83 with its laser for remote study. The rover is operating at its fastest pace of scientific data collection since it landed on Mars four years ago.
One of the most significant discoveries made by the Perseverance rover is a rock named Silver Mountain, which is believed to be over 3.9 billion years old and dates back to the Noachian age. This period saw heavy bombardment on Mars, shaping the planet’s cratered landscape. The rover has also found a rock rich in serpentine minerals, which could hold clues about the potential for life on Mars.
The discovery is being hailed as a scientific goldmine by scientists, who are eager to return the samples collected by Perseverance to Earth for further analysis. However, the fate of NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission remains uncertain due to budget and scheduling issues. The agency is working on revising the plan and soliciting new proposals from industry and academia to find a more affordable and faster way to return the samples.
The Perseverance rover’s findings have shed new light on Mars’ ancient history, providing scientists with valuable insights into the planet’s evolution. As the rover continues to explore the Martian terrain, it is likely to uncover even more secrets about this fascinating planet.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/mars-rovers/nasas-perseverance-rover-hits-the-mars-rock-gold-mine-it-has-been-all-we-had-hoped-for-and-more