NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a fascinating discovery on Mars – an unusual “skull” rock that doesn’t seem to be in its original place. The rover, which is searching for signs of ancient microbial life, found the dark-colored rock at the rim of Jezero Crater, where it’s been studying the Martian environment.
The “Skull Hill” rock stands out from the surrounding area due to its angular shape and pitted texture. Scientists are investigating its origin and have narrowed down two possible explanations – either the rock was transported by wind or erosion, or it could be a meteorite with a different composition than expected.
To better understand the rock’s origins, NASA’s Perseverance rover has been collecting samples of rocks in the Port Anson region, where several similar “floats” have been found. These rocks are believed to have originated from elsewhere on Mars and were transported by ancient rivers and lakes when the planet was warmer and wetter.
The discovery of these unusual rocks is part of a larger effort by NASA’s Perseverance rover to study the Martian environment and search for signs of life. While the mission faces some challenges, including budget and technical complexities, scientists remain optimistic about the potential discoveries that could be made on Mars.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/mars/nasa-rover-discovers-out-of-place-skull-on-mars-and-scientists-are-baffled