NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has been exploring the Martian surface since February 2021, has uncovered a shiny metallic rock that scientists suspect might be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid. The rock, dubbed Phippsaksla, was found in the Jezero crater and has drawn attention for its high concentration of iron and nickel, elements commonly found in meteorites. This discovery could mark the first time Perseverance has identified such a rock, joining previous findings from other missions, including Curiosity, Opportunity, and Spirit.
The identification of Phippsaksla was made possible through the use of the rover’s SuperCam instrument, which shoots a laser to analyze the rock’s composition remotely. The readings revealed the presence of iron and nickel, which are typically found in meteorites rather than in native Martian rock. This finding is significant because it could provide new insights into the geological history of Mars and its interaction with cosmic visitors. The location of the rock on impact-formed bedrock outside the Jezero crater may also offer clues about how it formed and arrived on the planet.
NASA scientists are continuing to study the rock’s composition to confirm its origin. If confirmed as a meteorite, this discovery would be a milestone for the Perseverance mission and a reminder that even on a planet over 140 million miles away, there are still surprises waiting to be uncovered. The rover, which cost $2.7 billion and is powered by a plutonium generator, carries seven scientific instruments, a robotic arm, and a drill for collecting samples. These samples could provide critical data for understanding how life might have existed on Mars in the past and prepare for future human exploration of the planet.