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Introduction
Mars 2020’s Perseverance rover is embarking on a significant new phase of scientific research on the Jezero Crater rim. As the rover begins its ascend up the crater rim, it is expected to capture valuable data and samples crucial for understanding the Martian geography and potentially paving the way for future human exploration and habitation.
Perseverance Kicks Off the Crater Rim Campaign
For two months, the Perseverance rover has explored the Neretva Vallis region of Jezero Crater, leaving behind a trail of intrigue and scientific discovery. One of the most fascinating recent finds was the presence of rocks with popcorn-like textures and “leopard spot” patterns. Now, the rover is set to embark on a new series of geological investigations, a campaign that promises to shine a light on the unique features of the crater’s rim.
The Crater Rim Campaign is a watershed moment in the Mars 2020 mission, paving the way for the rovers to collect samples pivotal to the Mars Sample Return initiative. As the research team plans its next moves in the campaign, they need to be strategic in determining the scope and breadth of their scientific inquiry.
Key Findings Along the Crater Rim
The team is using Mastcam-Z multispectral and SuperCam long-distance imaging to understand the macro-scale mineralogical variation between rocks as they trek along the crater rim.
Next stop is the Dox Castle, a region of great geological complexity, where the rover will investigate the contact between the Margin Unit and the crater rim, as well as rubbly material hypothesized to be the region’s first encounter with formations generated by the impact event that created Jezero Crater.
Through this phase of exploration, the research team will gather valuable data and samples needed to decipher the geological connections between various rock formations as well as the relationship these formations have with the geological history of Mars.
Conclusion
A new era of scientific study has dawned on Perseverance as the rover commences its conquest of the Jezero Crater rim. Gathering valuable insights and samples into the Martian geology paves the way for unparalleled discoveries, shedding light onto the mysterious past of a planet long fascinated humanity, and propelling the race for Mars exploration and development forward.
