NASA’s Perseverance Finds Metal-Rich Rock on Mars — Likely a Meteorite
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NASA’s Perseverance rover has stumbled upon an unusual,
metal-rich rock on the Martian surface — a discovery that could point to an
interplanetary origin. The rock, informally named “Phippsaksla,” was
found inside Jezero Crater and stands out due to its sculpted, rounded shape
and exceptionally high levels of iron and nickel. These elements are rarely
found in native Martian rock but are frequently present in meteorites, hinting
that this object may have traveled across the solar system before landing on
Mars.
A Potential Meteorite Discovery on Mars
Perseverance first detected the mysterious boulder on September
19, 2025 (Sol 1629) in the Vernodden region of Jezero Crater. Scientists
immediately took interest because of its prominent, molded structure.
The rover’s SuperCam laser spectrometer analyzed the
rock and revealed an unusually high concentration of iron and nickel,
strongly resembling known iron-nickel meteorites rather than typical Martian
crust material.
If confirmed, this would mark Perseverance’s first
meteorite find, joining past discoveries by Spirit, Opportunity, and
Curiosity, which also encountered similar extraterrestrial fragments on Mars.
Why This Meteorite Matters
Iron-nickel meteorites usually originate deep within ancient
asteroids, forming in their metallic cores before eventually breaking apart. If
Phippsaksla is indeed such a fragment, it could help researchers better
understand the early formation of asteroids and the chaotic history of the
solar system.
Its location is also scientifically valuable. Resting in an
area shaped by past impacts, the rock may help scientists piece together the geological
events that shaped Jezero Crater. Every meteorite found on Mars acts as a
time capsule, preserving clues about planetary processes, cosmic collisions,
and material exchange across the solar system.
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#Astronomy #Meteorite #RedPlanet #JezeroCrater #ScienceUpdate #SpaceExploration
#NASAFinds #MartianScience
