A strangely light-toned boulder on Mars is completely unlike any other rock we’ve seen on the Red Planet up to now. Spotted by NASA’s Perseverance rover at a site called Mount Washburn – which sits within the wider study location of Jezero Crater – the unusual object may provide some intriguing clues into the ancient geological processes that helped to shape the Martian surface.
“The diversity of textures and compositions at Mount Washburn was an exciting discovery for the team, as these rocks represent a grab bag of geologic gifts brought down from the crater rim and potentially beyond,” said Brad Garczynski, co-lead of the current science campaign, in a statement. “But among all these different rocks, there was one that really caught our attention.”
Measuring 45 centimeters (18 inches) in width by 35 centimeters (14 inches) in height, the unexpectedly bright rock pops out against the darker boulders that surround it, and has been nicknamed “Atoko Point” in reference to a similar feature of the Grand Canyon. “In terms of the size, shape, and arrangement of its mineral grains and crystals — and potentially its chemical composition — Atoko Point is in a league of its own,” reads the statement from NASA.
Using its SuperCam and Mastcam-Z instruments, Perseverance was able to determine that the rock is made up of the minerals pyroxene and feldspar, although how it ended up on Mount Washmore, surrounded by rocks of an entirely different composition, is unclear.
One theory is that it originates in a subterranean body of magma that became exposed at some point, although the rock may also have been transported to its current location by a river that flowed across the Martian surface in the ancient past. “Either way, the team believes that while Atoko is the first of its kind they’ve seen, it won’t be the last,” continues the statement.
After briefly stopping to admire and analyze the unique rock, Perseverance continued its journey towards its next stop, known as Bright Angel, where it will, erm, persevere in its quest to find signs of ancient life on Mars.
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
