Image Caption: NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover captured this image using its onboard Sample Caching System Camera (CacheCam), located inside the rover’s underbelly. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
After initial setbacks, the Mars Perseverance rover has achieved a remarkable feat by successfully retrieving a conglomerate rock sample from Otis Peak in Jezero crater, despite its fragile composition. The conglomerate’s diverse clasts, potentially originating from distant locations, hold valuable insights into the history of Mars. The team now sets its sights on Snowdrift Peak.
As previously mentioned, the NASA Perseverance Science Team had been striving to secure a sample from a conglomerate rock unit atop the fan in Jezero crater. The first attempt resulted in a disappointingly small sample, while the second attempt proved unsuccessful. What makes this rock so challenging to sample, and why is NASA determined to acquire it?
Conglomerate rocks are of special interest to the Science Team due to their composition, consisting of various clasts of rocks cemented together over time. Importantly, these clasts are believed to have been transported from distant locations to Jezero crater. By analyzing the distinct clasts and cements preserved in a conglomerate sample, scientists can gain insights into the material’s sources, the distance it traveled, and the Martian environment during clast formation and conglomerate rock formation.
These intriguing characteristics of conglomerate rocks also make them difficult to sample because of their crumbly nature. The clasts appear loosely bound by a matrix of fine-grained sediment and mineral cement. When the rover attempted to collect a sample, the fine-grained matrix likely disintegrated, causing the rock to fall apart. However, due to the scientific significance of obtaining a conglomerate sample, the team persisted and made repeated attempts.
Third time’s the charm! The rover successfully acquired a sample (pictured above) from the conglomerate at Otis Peak. Upon closer examination of the CacheCam image, one can observe the distinct colors representing different clasts present in the sample. Each clast holds elements and minerals that can provide scientists with valuable information about the water and rock history in Jezero crater. With another successful sample in its possession, Perseverance, alongside the Science Team, now looks forward to the journey towards Snowdrift Peak en route to the margin unit.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Perseverance
Why is obtaining a sample of conglomerate rock from Mars important?
Obtaining a sample of conglomerate rock from Mars is important because it provides valuable insights into Martian history. The distinct clasts and cements in the conglomerate can reveal information about the material’s sources, transportation, and the Martian environment during its formation. Studying these samples helps scientists understand the geological processes and the presence of water on Mars.
Why was sampling the conglomerate rock challenging?
Sampling the conglomerate rock was challenging due to its crumbly nature. The clasts in the rock were loosely held together by a matrix of fine-grained sediment and mineral cement. When the rover attempted to collect a sample, the fine-grained matrix broke up, causing the rock to fall apart. This made it difficult to obtain a cohesive sample without disintegration.
How did the Perseverance rover overcome the challenges?
The Perseverance rover overcame the challenges by persistently attempting to acquire a sample. Despite initial failures, the team prioritized obtaining a sample of the conglomerate due to its scientific merit. After multiple attempts, the rover successfully acquired a sample from Otis Peak, demonstrating the resilience and determination of the mission.
What can the obtained conglomerate sample reveal about Martian history?
The obtained conglomerate sample can reveal crucial information about Martian history. By analyzing the distinct clasts and cements, scientists can gain insights into the sources of the materials, their transportation over long distances, and the conditions in which they formed. This information helps in understanding the ancient Martian environment, the presence of water, and the geological processes that shaped the planet.
What are the next steps for the Perseverance rover and the Science Team?
With a successful sample in hand, the Perseverance rover and the Science Team are now focusing on their next objective, which is to drive towards Snowdrift Peak on their way to the margin unit. They aim to continue exploring and studying the Martian terrain, collecting more samples, and uncovering further clues about the planet’s past and potential for supporting life.
More about Perseverance
- NASA Mars Perseverance Rover Mission
- JPL – Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover
- NASA Mars Exploration Program
