NASA Rover uncovers unique bright boulder on Mars
NASA has discovered a mysterious bright boulder on Mars that does not resemble any other rocks found on the Red Planet. Spotted by the Perseverance rover at Mount Washburn in Jezero Crater, it may provide intriguing clues about ancient geological processes that shaped Mars' surface.
Brad Garczynski, co-leader of the current scientific campaign at Western Washington University in Bellingham, noted in a statement:
"The diversity of textures and compositions at Mount Washburn was an exciting discovery for the team, as these rocks represent a grab bag of geologic gifts brought down from the crater rim and potentially beyond. Among all these different rocks, there was one that really caught our attention."
Mysterious Atoko Point
The bright boulder, named "Atoko Point" in honour of a similar location in the Grand Canyon, is 46 cm wide and 36 cm tall. It stands out against the darker rocks surrounding it.
"In terms of the size, shape, and arrangement of its mineral grains and crystals — and potentially its chemical composition — Atoko Point it is in a league of its own," reports NASA.
Using the SuperCam and Mastcam-Z instruments, the Perseverance rover determined that the boulder was composed of pyroxene and feldspar. It is unclear, however, how it ended up on Mount Washburn, surrounded by rocks of a completely different composition. One theory suggests that it originated from an underground magma reservoir exposed at some point in Mars' history due to erosion. Another possibility is that an ancient river transported it.
"Either way, the team believes that while Atoko is the first of its kind they’ve seen, it won’t be the last," as noted in the statement. After briefly analysing the unique rock, the Perseverance rover continued its journey towards the next stop, Bright Angel, where it will continue searching for signs of ancient life on Mars.
It is worth noting that the Perseverance rover landed on the Red Planet in February 2021 and has since been searching for signs of life. Its primary mission is to collect samples of Martian rocks and sediments to eventually send them back to Earth, which will likely happen in the early 2030s.
