NASA’s Perseverance rover may have uncovered a visitor from outer space – a strange, shiny rock on Mars that scientists believe could be a meteorite forged in the heart of an ancient asteroid. This discovery, named ‘Phippsaksla,’ has captured the attention of researchers due to its high levels of iron and nickel, elements commonly found in meteorites that have impacted both Mars and Earth.
A new blog post on the rover’s mission page details how the rock’s unusual composition made it stand out against the flat, broken terrain of Mars. Scientists used the rover’s SuperCam instrument to analyze the rock, firing a laser to vaporize tiny bits of material for chemical analysis. The readings confirmed unusually high levels of iron and nickel, a combination that NASA states is indicative of a meteorite’s origin.
This isn’t the first time a rover has identified a metallic rock on Mars. Previous missions like Curiosity, Opportunity, and Spirit have discovered iron-nickel meteorites. However, this marks the first time Perseverance has encountered one, making the discovery particularly noteworthy. The rock is believed to sit atop impact-formed bedrock, which could provide insights into its formation and arrival on Mars.
The significance of this find lies in its potential to deepen our understanding of how meteorites interact with the Martian surface over time. By studying Phippsaksla, scientists aim to confirm its extraterrestrial origin and add it to the growing list of meteorite findings on Mars, including Curiosity’s ‘Lebanon’ and ‘Cacao’ discoveries.
As the mission continues, the Perseverance rover remains a key player in the exploration of Mars. With its advanced scientific instruments and capabilities, the rover is tasked with collecting samples that could eventually return to Earth, paving the way for future exploration of the red planet.