NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover is rocking it, say JPL, Caltech officials
NASA-JPL scientist Sunanda Sharma talks at a briefing on the latest findings from the Perseverance Mars rover, Thursday,Pasadena CA, Sept 15,2022.
NASA-JPL scientist Rick Welch shows a sample tube at a briefing on the latest findings from the Perseverance Mars rover, Thursday,Pasadena CA, Sept 15,2022. The rover’s mission, which began on the red planet 18 months ago, includes looking for signs of ancient microbial life. Perseverance is collecting rock samples that could have preserved these telltale biosignatures. Currently, the rover contains 12 rock samples.Digging into the delta
“This juxtaposition provides us with a rich understanding of the geologic history after the crater formed and a diverse sample suite. For example, we found a sandstone that carries grains and rock fragments created far from Jezero Crater.” Organic molecules are of interest on Mars because they represent the building blocks of life, such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, as well as nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur. Not all organic molecules require life to form because some can be created through chemical processes.
“In the distant past, the sand, mud, and salts that now make up the Wildcat Ridge sample were deposited under conditions where life could potentially have thrived,” Farley said.
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