'NASA’s billion-dollar find': Perseverance's Silver Mountain may rewrite Mars’ ancient history

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Unexpected Textures

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

Jezero Climb

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

Silver Mountain

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

Hidden Clues

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.

Sampling Route

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

Mars Timeline

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

Critical Mission

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.

Scientific Milestone

Silver Mountain marks a milestone in understanding the Noachian era, offering insights into Mars’ geological evolution and its ability to host life.

Credit : NASA

Future Habitats

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