NASA finds 4-billion-year-old treasure on Mars that emerged after a mysterious ancient impact
NASA's Perseverance rover continues to surprise the scientific community with its discoveries on the surface of Mars.
Recently, a robotic vehicle developed by NASA found a unique rock sample in the Jezero crater on Mars, which stood out compared to unique characteristics not found in other samples. This discovery could offer new insights into the geological history of the Red Planet. The sample, named “Silver Mountain,” presents textures never seen before. This rock dates back to the Noachian era, approximately four billion years ago, and may have traveled to the surface after the planet was hit by a celestial object millions of years ago.
Now that I've completed my climb out of Jezero Crater, I'm back to #SamplingMars!
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) January 29, 2025
My 26th sample, known as "Silver Mountain," has textures unlike anything we've seen before. I've sealed the rock core in a sample tube so it can be analyzed in labs on Earth in the future. pic.twitter.com/YqEPZnDnfR
What is the significance of the Noachian era on Mars?
The Noachian era’s importance in the formation of Mars is characterized by a series of asteroid and comet bombardments that shaped the planet’s surface. Rocks from this era are some of the oldest in Mars' history, offering a unique perspective when studying the planet’s early conditions. Studying Noachian rocks is essential for unraveling Mars' geological history, as they can provide information about the presence of liquid water in the past and the climatic conditions that prevailed.
What is Perseverance doing on Mars?
Perseverance, the Mars rover, plays a fundamental role in research on the Red Planet, with the primary goal of studying the planet’s geological past and paving the way for future manned missions.
Searching for my next sample... pic.twitter.com/WIkE6iCEl0
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 12, 2025
The rover analyzes and collects Martian rocks and debris, which are then analyzed in detail in terrestrial laboratories. However, collecting rocks is not its only task; it also searches for signs of past microbial life, contributing to our understanding of Mars' habitability. This effort is part of NASA’s broader mission to study the Red Planet and answer questions about life beyond Earth.
What is the next mission to be carried out on Mars?
With Perseverance’s discoveries on Mars, NASA plans to continue its investigations, focusing on areas that could reveal more about the planet’s history. Additionally, Mars exploration is expanding internationally, with private companies also participating. These initiatives aim not only to better understand the planet but also to pave the way for eventual human colonization. In summary, all these advances and strategies have exponentially enriched our understanding of Mars. With each new sample and analysis, humanity gets closer to unraveling the mysteries of the Red Planet and exploring its future possibilities.
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Original article written by Luis Méndez, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Maite Knorr-Evans.