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New Insights from Mars: QUT Study Reveals Key Findings from Perseverance Rover
A recent study spearheaded by researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has presented significant findings based on data collected from NASA’s Perseverance rover. This research suggests that multiple events conducive to mineral formation occur just beneath the Martian surface, inching scientists closer to the pivotal question of whether life once existed on Mars.
Dr. Michael Jones, who leads the research team at QUT’s Central Analytical Research Facility and the School of Chemistry and Physics, heads a collaborative group that includes Associate Professors David Flannery and Christoph Schrank, as well as researchers Brendan Orenstein and Peter Nemere, in partnership with colleagues from North America and Europe.
The results of their investigation have been published in the esteemed journal Science Advances.
According to Dr. Jones, “Sulphate minerals exhibit varying levels of water in different regions of Mars, offering insights into the movement of water across the planet. This is essential for unraveling its historical potential for habitability.” He further explained that while the formation timeline and mechanisms of these minerals remain partially elusive, the team has innovatively achieved a method to directly assess the internal crystal structures of Mars’ minerals, a task once deemed impractical for the Martian surface.
The researchers have successfully adapted a novel analytical technique named X-ray Backscatter Diffraction Mapping (XBDM), which was pioneered by Dr. Jones and Professor Schrank at the Australian Synchrotron, to integrate with the Perseverance rover’s onboard PIXL instrument, designed by QUT alumna Abigail Allwood.
This technological advancement allowed the team to analyze the orientation of crystal structures, effectively creating a unique profile that reveals the conditions under which the minerals formed, as well as the environmental context of Mars at that time.
During their study, two distinct sets of calcium-sulphate minerals were identified at Hogwallow Flats and Yori Pass, locations situated within the Shenandoah formation of Jezero Crater. One set of minerals was developed just below the Martian surface, while another set originated from a much deeper layer, at least 80 meters down.
Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of this discovery: “The findings showcase the varied environments throughout the history of the Shenandoah formation, suggesting several potential eras when Martian life could have thrived.”
Since its arrival in Jezero Crater in February 2021, the Perseverance rover has been tasked with examining an array of Martian rock types, from geological formations created by ancient volcanic activity to layers of sediment formed by a long-extinct lake and river delta.
A critical objective of the mission is to investigate environments that could have been suitable for supporting microbial life while also collecting samples meant for future return to Earth.
The QUT research group operates as part of the larger QUT Planetary Surface Exploration Research Group, which focuses on interplanetary sciences and actively collaborates on missions with NASA and the Australian Space Agency.
Professor Flannery, who serves as a key planner for the NASA Perseverance mission, remarked on QUT’s leading role in advancing planetary science within Australia. “The insights gleaned by QUT researchers, immersed in the forefront of robotics, automation, data science, and astrobiology, are crucial for catalyzing Australia’s burgeoning space industry,” he noted.
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