Photo credit: science.nasa.gov

Insights from NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover on the Jezero Crater Rim

Recently, NASA’s Mars 2020 rover has made significant progress on its expedition along the lower slope of ‘Witch Hazel Hill’ within the Jezero Crater’s perimeter. During its exploration, the rover paused at a distinct boundary marking a contrast between light and dark rock formations, a site referred to as ‘Port Anson’. As the rover continues its mission, it has discovered various intriguing rocks that appear to have been transported from different locations, known as float rocks.

Among these findings is a notable rock formation dubbed ‘Skull Hill’, captured through the rover’s Mastcam-Z instrument. This rock stands out with its dark coloration and angular surface, distinguishing it from the surrounding lighter-toned outcrops. Additionally, it features several pits, and for those keen on detail, spherules can be spotted in the nearby regolith. Further insights into these captivating geological features can be accessed through Alex Jones’ recent blog entry: https://science.nasa.gov/blog/shocking-spherules/. The pits observed on Skull Hill may have formed due to various processes, including the erosion of rock fragments or wind action. The discovery of similarly dark-toned float rocks in the Port Anson area is prompting the research team to investigate their origins and how they arrived at their current location.

Skull Hill’s distinctive dark hue bears a resemblance to meteorites identified by the Curiosity rover in Gale Crater. The identification of meteorites relies heavily on their chemical composition, with those found in Gale containing notable amounts of iron and nickel. However, preliminary analyses of SuperCam data from nearby rocks suggest that Skull Hill may not actually be of meteorite origin.

It is plausible that ‘Skull Hill’ represents an igneous rock, potentially eroded from a neighboring formation or ejected from an impact crater. Both Earth and Mars feature igneous rocks that primarily consist of iron and magnesium derived from cooled magma or lava. Such rocks often incorporate dark minerals like olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite. Fortunately, the rover is equipped with advanced instruments capable of analyzing the chemical makeup of Martian rocks. Gaining insights into the composition of these darker float rocks will be crucial for the research team as they seek to unravel the geological history of this intriguing specimen.

Source
science.nasa.gov