NASA's Perseverance rover, tirelessly exploring the Martian surface, recently added another rock to its collection – its 24th to be exact. This particular sample, nicknamed "Comet Geyser," has scientists excited because it offers tantalizing hints about a bygone era on Mars when water played a much more prominent role.
Collected on Martian solar day, or Sol, 1088 (corresponding to March 11, 2024), the rock comes from Jezero Crater, a location chosen specifically for its potential to hold evidence of ancient Martian life. Analysis of "Comet Geyser" by the rover's instruments suggests it spent a significant amount of time submerged in water, possibly even forming part of an ancient Martian beach.
"This is exactly the kind of rock we were hoping to find when we targeted Jezero Crater," said Dr. Ken Farley, Perseverance's project scientist. Minerals within the sample seem to have formed in water, and on Earth, such water-deposited minerals are known to be good at trapping and preserving biosignatures, or chemical signatures of past life.
The sample's potential to unlock secrets about Martian climate is also significant. By studying the rock, scientists hope to glean valuable information about the conditions that prevailed on Mars when it was wet and potentially habitable.
However, the scientific community will have to wait a while for a definitive analysis. These Martian treasures are slated for return to Earth by a future mission, the Mars Sample Return (MSR). If successful, MSR will represent the first time humanity has brought Martian materials back for in-depth study in terrestrial laboratories.
This 24th sample adds to Perseverance's growing collection, which includes 21 rock cores, two tubes filled with Martian regolith (broken rock and dust), and even one capturing the Martian atmosphere itself. Each sample is a piece of the Martian puzzle, helping scientists build a more complete picture of the Red Planet's history and potential for past or even present life.