Key Takeaways
1. Iron-nickel meteorites have been found on Mars, particularly in Gale Crater, but none have been discovered in Jezero Crater by Perseverance yet.
2. Perseverance discovered a uniquely shaped rock named “Phippsaksla” while studying the bedrock at a site called “Vernodden.”
3. Phippsaksla is distinct from surrounding rocks, featuring a prominent, elevated structure and a weathered surface with cavern-like formations.
4. The rock was photographed using Perseverance’s Left Mastcam-Z camera and analyzed with the SuperCam tool.
5. The presence of iron and nickel in Phippsaksla suggests it could be a meteorite, pending further investigation.
Iron-nickel meteorites have been discovered on Mars for some time. Rovers, including Curiosity, have located numerous examples in Gale Crater. However, Perseverance has yet to find any in Jezero Crater, despite the crater’s characteristics indicating that meteorites may have landed there.
Discovery of Phippsaksla
Recently, Perseverance discovered a uniquely shaped rock, measuring about 80 centimeters (31 inches) across, dubbed “Phippsaksla.” This rock was uncovered while examining the bedrock at a site named “Vernodden.”
Unique Characteristics
Phippsaksla is distinct from the nearby rocks, which are generally flat, low, and broken apart. In contrast, Phippsaksla has a prominent, elevated structure. A detailed look at the rock showed its weathered surface with cavern-like formations.
Perseverance captured an image of this rock with its Left Mastcam-Z camera, one of the two cameras mounted high on the rover’s mast. After the initial sighting of Phippsaksla, Perseverance utilized its SuperCam tool to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the rock, discovering it consists of iron and nickel.
Potential Meteorite
The presence of iron and nickel in Phippsaksla suggests it could potentially be a meteorite. More investigations will be conducted to verify this hypothesis.
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