The Perseverance rover, which has been exploring Mars for about a year and a half, has begun collecting rock samples waiting to be recovered by a next NASA/ESA mission. These minerals will make it possible to discover the past of the red planet.

Perseverance is exploring the crater jezero which appears to have been a lake bottom where water once flowed. This is evidenced by the presence of some sedimentary deposits suggesting the delta of a river.

The researchers are convinced that the sediments present can tell a geological history of Mars. The hypothesis is also considered plausible that these samples may contain traces of possible forms of life that have been present on the planet in centuries past.

These kinds of environments on Earth are places where life thrives. The purpose of exploring the delta and Jezero Crater is to search these once habitable environments for rocks that may contain evidence of primitive life.

Amy Williams, professor of geology at the University of Florida and member of the Perseverance mission team

The data collected so far has shown that the environment is much more complex than previously thought. For example, the surface consists of: igneous rocks derived from magma flows rather than softer sedimentary rocks. A sign that the crater’s surface has eroded more than expected over time.

In addition, these igneous rocks seem to show special signs of erosion due to water and others organic moleculeselements that support the theory that the crater would have been inhabited in the past.

The collection of minerals is coordinated by a group of geologists And astrobiologists composed of researchers from many universities and institutes, such as for example Caltech, NASA, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science.

At this point, the rover continues to explore the delta in the crater to collect more rock samples in anticipation of the recovery mission that will bring these samples back to Earth. The mission is still in the planning phase and is tentatively planned between the fall of 2027 and the summer of 2028.


Source: Lega Nerd

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I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.

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