NASA’s Perseverance rover has made two groundbreaking discoveries on Mars. The robotic explorer may have found rocks that are up to 4 billion years old, making them the oldest known rocks in the solar system. These ancient rocks could hold secrets about how rocky planets like Mars and Earth evolved.
The rover explored the Pico Turquino Hills at the top of Jezero Crater, where it captured images of numerous outcrops with diverse minerals. The team believes these rocks are likely pieces of the earliest crust of Mars, formed around 3.7 billion years ago.
Furthermore, Perseverance discovered a new habitable setting for possible Martian life. A field of “brilliant white” cobbles made of pure quartz was found in the area, which forms in places where hot fluids circulate through rocks. This is a potentially habitable environment that’s different from the ones previously explored on the crater floor.
The rover’s findings are based on estimates and will be further confirmed with sample return missions. The discovery could provide insights into how rocky planets behave in their infancy.
Next, Perseverance will explore Witch Hazel Hill, an area identified by NASA’s Mars orbiters as having extensive layered rocks. This region is expected to provide a more representative view of the broader Martian geology beyond Jezero Crater.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/nasa-perseverance-rover-potential-life-setting