Perseverance Rover Discovers Ancient Clay Minerals on Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover has detected clay-bearing bedrock on the rim of Jezero Crater, sparking excitement among scientists. Using its SuperCam instrument, Perseverance identified phyllosilicates, minerals formed by water-rock interactions, which are crucial for preserving potential organic materials. These clay-rich rocks may date back to Mars’ Noachian period, around 4 billion years ago, indicating a warmer, wetter ancient Mars. The Science Team is now mapping the region to select optimal sites for future sampling and further study of Mars’ geological history.
