NASA Rover Zaps Martian Rocks, Uncovers Ancient Mystery

Mars’ surface rocks have been quietly preserving secrets about the planet’s past. The unusual mineral composition of pale rocks in Jezero Crater indicates they formed under extremely warm and wet conditions, challenging previous assumptions about Mars’ history.

“On Earth, these minerals develop in regions with heavy rainfall and warm climates or in hydrothermal environments like hot springs—both prime conditions for life,” explains planetary scientist Roger Wiens of Purdue University. “These rocks are remnants of material altered by flowing water over eons. The warm water gradually removed most elements, leaving behind what we found on Mars. It’s astonishing and unexpected on such a cold, dry planet.”

Unraveling Mars’ past is crucial for understanding whether the planet was ever suitable for life. Its history is recorded in its rocks, and Earth’s geology provides the key to deciphering that record. However, identifying significant Martian rocks and extracting their secrets is a challenge from millions of miles away. NASA’s rovers, Curiosity and Perseverance, serve as remote explorers, helping scientists analyze the planet’s geology.

Perseverance first spotted these pale “float” rocks—materials displaced from their original location—in Jezero Crater early in its mission. Scientists initially overlooked them but later directed the rover to examine them using its Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument. This tool fires a laser pulse to vaporize a small portion of the mineral, analyzing the emitted light to determine its elemental composition.

“These rocks are unlike anything we’ve encountered on Mars before,” says Wiens. “They’re a mystery.”

Kaolinite Discovery Suggests Mars May Have Once Supported Life

The primary component is kaolinite, a soft, white silicate clay that typically forms in temperate, wet environments—conditions that could have supported microbial life. Unlike terrestrial kaolinite, the Martian variety is significantly harder, likely due to different weathering processes. With over 4,000 of these rocks identified in Jezero Crater, their presence raises exciting possibilities about Mars’ past habitability.

Researchers also detected spinel, a magnesium aluminum mineral commonly found in gemstones on Earth. The exact process that introduced spinel into the kaolinite remains unclear, but it likely formed in igneous or metamorphic environments.

The origins of the kaolinite itself are still uncertain. Satellite images reveal kaolinite-rich deposits on the rim of Jezero Crater, suggesting a possible source. Pinpointing where and how these rocks formed could provide crucial insights into Mars’ water history and its potential for sustaining life.

“The biggest questions about Mars revolve around water,” Wiens notes. “How much was there? How long did it last? And where did it go? Kaolinite contains water within its structure, so it’s possible that much of Mars’ lost water remains trapped in its minerals.”

Read Original Article: Science Alert

Read More: Our Moon Is About to Glow Blood Red—Here’s the Reason.