NASA’s Perseverance Rover Discovers Oddly Shaped “Donut Rock” on Mars
June 23, 2021
In a fascinating discovery, NASA’s Perseverance rover has stumbled upon an uncommon rock formation on Mars. The peculiar rock, nicknamed the “donut rock” due to its shape, was spotted by the rover’s Remote Microscopic Imager (RMI) on June 22, as it explores the Jezero Crater in Mars’ northern hemisphere. The photo was captured from a distance of approximately 100 meters from the rover.
The unusual shape of the rocks is the result of long-term erosion, mirroring similar processes on Earth. However, unlike Earth, Mars lacks surface water, making wind and dust storms the primary drivers of erosion on the Red Planet.
Soon after NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory shared the image, it gained immense popularity on social media. The SETI Institute, renowned for its search for extraterrestrial intelligence, tweeted that the donut rock could potentially be a large meteorite accompanied by scattered debris.
This is not the first time NASA’s rovers have encountered meteorite impact remnants on Mars. Over the years, Curiosity, Spirit, Opportunity, and now Perseverance, have uncovered evidence of such celestial events. Due to the thin Martian atmosphere and lack of precipitation, meteorite impacts on Mars have a higher chance of leaving fragments, and the impact craters remain better preserved.
Since its mission began on February 18, 2021, the Perseverance rover has been exploring the ancient lakebed in the Jezero Crater and has been collecting samples from alluvial fans. These fans show evidence of water and sediment flowing into the meteorite pit, providing crucial insights into Mars’ geological and environmental evolution. The collected samples will eventually make their way back to Earth through the Mars Sample Return mission, a joint endeavor between NASA and the European Space Agency.
The samples brought back to Earth will undergo extensive analysis, shedding light on Mars’ history and the potential for life on the planet. The Mars Sample Return mission involves an orbiter, lander, ascent vehicle, and two helicopters, and is expected to provide invaluable scientific data to scientists and researchers.
This recent discovery not only serves as another testament to the capabilities of NASA’s rovers but also underscores the importance of future Mars missions in advancing our understanding of the Red Planet.
Disclaimer: This article is reproduced with the authorization of Taipei Planetarium. Source of the first image: NASA / JPL-Caltech.
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