NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover is now exploring a brand new area on the decrease slope of Jezero Crater’s rim. This area “Krokodillen,” named after a mountain ridge on the island of Prins Karls Forland, Norway, Krokodillen (which suggests “the crocodile” in Norwegian) is a 73-acre (about 30-hectare) plateau of rocky outcrops situated downslope to the west and south of Witch Hazel Hill. Earlier research recommend that this area comprises among the oldest rocks from the Noachian interval, the earliest geological period of Mars. This area offers an opportunity to check the environmental historical past of Mars as a result of it marks a key boundary between historical crater rim formations and youthful plains.
Minerals and the indication of water
As per preliminary research over this area, indicators of clay, olivine, and carbonate minerals have been discovered. Krokodillen plateau comprises rocky outcrops wealthy in clays, minerals that solely kind within the presence of water. Their discovery hints at a wetter historical Mars and raises the potential for locating preserved natural compounds — the chemical signatures of life.
These findings construct on earlier discoveries, corresponding to at “Cheyava Falls” in 2024, the place potential biosignatures had been discovered. If related clues emerge at Krokodillen, it might recommend a number of episodes of doable habitability in Mars’ deep previous.
Perseverance is at present inspecting a web site inside this area known as “Copper Cove,” the place it is believed that Noachian-era rocks, among the many oldest on Mars could also be discovered.
Sampling Technique
Perseverance rover has arrived at Krokodillen with a brand new sampling technique that permits for leaving cored samples unsealed in case of discovering extra scientifically compelling geologic options. The rover has collected and sealed two regolith samples, three witness tubes, and one atmospheric pattern. It has additionally collected 26 rock cores and sealed 25 of them.
The rover’s most up-to-date unsealed pattern is a rock core known as “Bell Island,” which comprises small spherical stones known as spherules. If a brand new pattern is required, the rover could possibly be commanded to dump the earlier pattern. The engineering pattern staff assessed whether or not leaving a tube unsealed might diminish the standard of a pattern, however the staff believes it’s a minor concern for the chance to gather the very best and most compelling samples.
