Produced by: Manoj Kumar
NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered a rock sample with never-before-seen textures. Dubbed “Silver Mountain,” it has been sealed for further analysis in labs on Earth, holding secrets of Mars’ geological past.
Credit : NASA
The rover collected its 26th sample after climbing the western rim of Jezero Crater. This marked its return to sampling Mars, offering a crucial opportunity to decode the Red Planet’s mysteries.
Credit : NASA
Collected from Blue Hill, this 2.9cm rock core is the first Noachian-aged outcrop sample. NASA describes it as a “one-of-a-kind treasure” for studying Mars’ ancient geological history.
Credit : NASA
According to postdoctoral scientist Nicolas Randazzo, the sample could reveal critical clues about past water activity and the planet’s potential habitability. It’s a key step toward understanding life’s viability on Mars.
Perseverance’s route includes climbing Witch Hazel Hill and exploring low-calcium pyroxene units. This strategic path was shared by NASA to maximize the rover’s discoveries.
Credit : NASA
NASA estimates that Mars samples, including Silver Mountain, may be returned to Earth as early as 2035. The selected retrieval method will be announced next year.
Credit : NASA
Former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the sample return mission a vital effort to save costs and time compared to earlier plans, prioritizing Mars exploration under NASA's evolving goals.
Silver Mountain marks a milestone in understanding the Noachian era, offering insights into Mars’ geological evolution and its ability to host life.
Credit : NASA
With critical data from Silver Mountain and other samples, scientists hope to uncover Mars’ potential for sustaining life, shaping future exploration and possibly human colonization efforts.
Credit : NASA