NASA’s Perseverance rover has completed its journey to the top of Jezero Crater’s rim, marking a significant milestone in its mission to search for life on Mars. The rover spent three and a half months climbing the 500-meter (1,640 feet) high rim, collecting valuable geological samples along the way.
The Perseverance rover is now set to embark on its “Northern Rim” campaign, which will see it drive 6.4 km (4 miles) across the Martian terrain in search of biosignatures. The site was selected due to its unique geology, which provides a new perspective on early Martian crust and rocks that are among the oldest found anywhere in the solar system.
The rover’s journey began with an examination of marginal carbonate rocks at the upper edge of Jezero Crater. Ken Farley, project scientist for Perseverance, described the significance of these finds: “These rocks represent pieces of early Martian crust and are among the oldest rocks found anywhere in the solar system.”
Perseverance’s next stop is a rocky outcrop about 450 meters (1,500 feet) on the other side of the rim known as Witch Hazel Hill. The rover will investigate this site, which offers insights into ancient environments recorded in the crater rim.
Further investigation lies ahead at Lac de Charmes, a region located beyond the rim where the impact that led to Jezero Crater is believed to have had less effect. Here, Perseverance aims to uncover valuable information about geological epochs on Mars and search for biosignatures from “warmer, wetter” periods.
The rover’s success has been attributed to its driver’s innovative approaches to navigating the challenging terrain. With its fifth campaign underway, Perseverance is poised to reveal new scientific riches as it explores a region of Mars unlike anything seen before.
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/170103/nasas-perseverance-rover-reaches-the-top-rim-of-the-jezero-crater