NASA’s Perseverance rover has reached the top of Jezero Crater’s rim, marking a significant milestone in its mission to explore Mars. The rover spent three and a half months climbing the 500-meter-high rim and made extensive science observations along the way.
The next phase of the mission is the Northern Rim campaign, which will see the rover drive approximately 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) over the next year. This route covers new territory and allows scientists to study rocks that are thought to be among the oldest on Mars. These ancient rocks hold secrets about early Martian crust and could provide insights into what the planet looked like in its early days.
The rover will visit up to four sites of interest, including Witch Hazel Hill and Lac de Charmes, which are believed to be less affected by past impacts. At these locations, scientists hope to find biosignatures that could indicate the presence of life on Mars. This could help researchers understand what Martian environments were like during the Noachian Period, when massive rivers carved out valleys and volcanoes formed.
The Perseverance team is excited about the new discoveries awaiting them. “This campaign brings us completely new scientific riches,” said Ken Farley, a project scientist for Perseverance at Caltech. “We’re transitioning from rocks that partially filled Jezero Crater when it was formed to rocks from deep down inside Mars.”
As the rover moves forward, it will continue to face challenging terrain and innovative approaches to overcome obstacles. With its successful climb of Lookout Hill, Perseverance is now ready for its next adventure, exploring a region of Mars that has never been studied before.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/nasas-perseverance-rover-completes-its-epic-climb-to-crater-rim