Original Title: Perseverance rover has discovered a strange, striped rock on the slopes of Jezero Crater on Mars: scientists are puzzled by how this rock ended up where it was found, and they speculate it may have rolled down from a higher outcropping.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered a strange, striped rock on the slopes of Jezero Crater on Mars, named "Freya Castle." This rock stands out because it is unlike anything seen on Mars before. Early observations suggest that it might be of volcanic or metamorphic origin, meaning it could have formed through intense heat or pressure. However, scientists are puzzled by how this rock ended up where it was found, and they speculate it may have rolled down from a higher outcropping.
The discovery is part of the rover’s mission to explore the inner wall of Jezero Crater, which harbored an ancient lake billions of years ago, potentially offering clues about Mars' geological history and even its habitability. Scientists hope that further study will reveal more about the rock's origins and what it might tell us about Mars' past.
Weird striped rock 'unlike any seen on Mars' found by Perseverance rover. Here's why NASA's excited | Space