NASA’s Perseverance rover has captured an incredible panoramic image of the Martian surface, revealing a striking blue sky and unique geological features. The image, taken on May 26, 2025, is one of the sharpest panoramas of its mission so far, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The panorama shows a rippling surface and hills in the distance, with a large rock visible to the right of the center. This rock, known as a “float rock,” was likely transported to its current location by water or wind before the sand ripple formed around it. The Perseverance science team is excited about this discovery, as it provides insight into Mars’ geological history.
The image also reveals an abrasion patch on the Martian surface, created by Perseverance’s Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT). This tool can spin at 3,000 revolutions per minute and has allowed the rover to collect valuable samples of the planet’s weathered surface. The close-up image taken on the same day shows multiple cracks in the surface, providing a detailed look at Mars’ geological features.
The Perseverance rover landed on Mars in February 2021 and has been exploring the Jezero Crater since then. The Martian Sample Return program, which aims to bring samples back to Earth, is currently uncertain due to budget cuts at NASA. However, private companies have offered to step in and support the mission.
This latest image from Perseverance showcases the rover’s capabilities and provides a unique glimpse into Mars’ fascinating geology.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/mars-rovers/what-would-mars-look-like-under-an-earth-like-blue-sky-nasa-perseverance-rover-just-showed-us