Mars, often referred to as the red planet, has once again intrigued scientists. NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has been exploring Mars’ Jezero Crater since early 2021, has discovered thousands of white rocks scattered across its surface. Recently released images from the rover reveal over 4,000 light-toned, pebble-sized “unusual” rocks.
Candice Bedford, a planetary scientist at Purdue University and a member of the Mars 2020 science team, discussed these findings at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) last month, stating, “These rocks are very unusual, and we’re trying to understand their origin.”
As NASA completes an architectural review of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, aimed at bringing Martian rocks back to Earth for analysis, discoveries on Mars are adding to the fascination surrounding the planet.
Initial analysis of the rocks by Perseverance’s instruments has revealed that they are dehydrated, lacking not only water content but also minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and sodium.
“These rocks are pretty depleted in a lot of things,” noted Bedford. She suggests that the dehydrated nature of the rocks indicates they were subjected to heat and metamorphosis, possibly by processes like lava flows or asteroid impacts elsewhere on Mars, before being deposited in the crater. The team is eager to understand the origins of these rocks, as they could provide valuable insights into Mars’ past, including the timing of water presence in the now-dry landscape of the Jezero crater.
Last December, NASA’s Perseverance rover marked its 1,000th day on Mars
Last December, NASA’s Perseverance rover marked its 1,000th day on Mars, having traveled over 15 miles (24.8 kilometers) on the planet’s surface. The rover has filled 26 out of 43 sample tubes with Martian rock samples, each containing countless grains that could be studied extensively.
“Each sample has innumerable grains that we could potentially study for forever, essentially,” remarked Benjamin Weiss, a professor of planetary sciences at MIT and a member of the 2020 team.
In a bonus mission, Perseverance has begun its journey toward the Jezero Crater rim, where its long-distance camera has already identified more light-toned rocks. Scientists believe that the crater rim and its surroundings possess unique geology, potentially holding rocks that could offer insights into Mars’ early climate and the possibility of past life. Returning these samples to Earth is considered crucial for scientists to gain a comprehensive understanding of Mars’ history. “It will revolutionize our understanding of Mars,” Weiss emphasized.
NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) program is leading the initiative to bring these samples back to Earth. Several questions linger regarding the program, such as the timeline and method for returning the samples.
Following the discovery of flaws in the current plan by an independent review board (IRB), a response team (MIRT) was formed to assess alternate options. NASA’s budget for MSR is yet to be finalized, with a new plan and budget expected in April.