Mystery as NASA discovers ‘sculpted’ alien rock on surface of Mars
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has made another strange discovery.
While exploring the Vernodden area of Jezero Crater the rover touched down on the Red Planet for the first time in February 2021 – He found an unusually shaped rock that was not expected to be on the surface of Mars.
Where it might have come from is anyone’s guess, but the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said the “unusually shaped rock” (possibly a meteorite) had elements associated with iron-nickel meteorites that form in the cores of large asteroids. a blog post.
Nickel-iron alloy is also a Primary component of the Earth’s core.
The rock, about 31 inches in diameter, was named “Phippsaksla” and was designated as the rover’s target because of its towering appearance.
NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has found an interesting and unusually shaped rock on the surface of Mars. NASA named it ‘Phippsaksla’ (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)
It literally stood out among the low-lying, shattered rocks in the area.
The rover was able to analyze its structure using the SuperCam instrument, which examines rocks and soil using a camera, laser and spectrometers that measure the properties of light.
SuperCam and the rover “Percy” are also searching for chemical materials that may be associated with past life on Mars.
Earlier this year, NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy and scientists said they had found it. Clearest signs of life on Mars to date in Jezero Crater.
A sample Perseverance collected from an ancient dry river bed contains potential biosignatures.
“Based on our current knowledge, some of the chemistry that shapes these rocks requires either high temperatures or life, and we see no evidence of high temperatures here,” the Texas A&M University geologist said. Dr. Michael Tice said in September:.
‘Phippsaksla’ rock is seen in the upper left corner of this image taken from the Perseverance Mars rover’s camera (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)
Past Mars rovers, including Curiosity, Opportunity, and Spirit, have also found iron-nickel meteorites during their respective missions. “Lebanon” meteorite discovered in 2014 and the “Cocoa” meteorite seen in 2023.
These were found in Gale Crater ca. 2,300 miles away It’s near the Red Planet’s equator.
“Therefore, it was somewhat unexpected that Perseverance did not see iron-nickel meteorites at Jezero Crater, especially given its similar age to Gale crater and the number of smaller impact craters that suggest meteorites fell to the crater floor, delta, and crater rim over time,” NASA said.
More studies are needed to confirm that Perseverance has finally found one.
“But if this rock is accepted as a meteorite, Perseverance could eventually add itself to the list of Mars rovers searching for fragments of rocky visitors to Mars,” NASA said.
