NASA’s Perseverance rover, equipped with a 2-meter mechanical arm and a suite of analytical instruments, is currently on a mission to uncover signs of ancient life on Mars. As it explores the Jezero Crater, once a lake, it aims to find traces of past microbial activity. The Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) on the rover’s mechanical arm has exceeded expectations during initial tests, identifying the composition of Martian dust on a calibration target. This sets the stage for PIXL and other instruments to explore Jezero Crater’s geological features and analyze rocks and dust for possible microbial activity.
The rover recently made an astonishing discovery— an arrow-shaped rock dubbed “Cheyava Falls” that may harbor fossilized microbes from billions of years ago when Mars was a watery world. Perseverance drilled into the intriguing rock to collect a core sample as it traversed Neretva Vallis, an ancient river valley.
Analysis of the 3ft by 2ft Cheyava Falls revealed intriguing surface spots similar to those associated with fossilized microbes on Earth and evidence that water once passed through the rock. This discovery indicates the potential for the rock to offer a fossilized record of microbes dating back billions of years, providing significant insights into Mars’ early history and its potential for ancient life.
With the rover’s WATSON camera and SHERLOC instrument, detailed images and chemical analyses of rock textures and compositions are providing clues about ancient water flow and habitable environments within the crater. The combination of PIXL’s chemical maps with SHERLOC’s mineral maps offers a comprehensive view of Jezero Crater’s past, enabling scientists to learn more about Mars’ early history and its potential for life.
The discovery of Cheyava Falls and its potential to provide evidence of ancient microbial life has marked a significant milestone in the Mars exploration mission, giving scientists and researchers a tantalizing glimpse into the Red Planet’s fascinating and mysterious past.
