In the future, these samples will be delivered to Earth for analysis.
Perseverance rover collected several samples of rock from the Red Planet that contain traces of organic matter. As reported by Science alert, these samples were found in the delta of an ancient river. In the future, they are planned to be delivered to Earth for detailed analysis.
“The samples we found in the delta [river – ed.] contain the highest concentration of organics that we observed during the mission. And, of course, organic compounds are the basis of life, so it's interesting that we have rocks that were formed in a habitable environment in the lake and carry organics in them,” said project scientist Ken Farley.
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In the river delta, which is believed to have been a large lake in the past, the rover collected four samples. In total, he has already collected 12 samples of rocks from the Red Planet.
A river delta that formed about 3.5 billion years ago is located at Perseverance's landing site, Crater Lake. The rover is currently investigating the sedimentary rocks formed here when particles of various sizes settled in a once-aquatic environment.
During its first scientific campaign, the rover discovered volcanic rock formed deep underground from magma or during a volcanic eruption. activity on the surface.
Now, in the second campaign, the rover is studying the delta, where it discovered organic compounds. Organics on Mars have been detected before, and Perseverance itself and Curiosity. But the latest discovery is significant because the organic compounds were found in an area where sediments and salt were deposited in the lake in the past under conditions that could potentially support life.
Farley said the scientists found sandstone that contains fragments rocks formed far from the Jezero crater. In addition, argillite containing organic compounds was found.
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Recall that NASA endowed the Perseverance rover with the ability to independently select targets for collecting samples, which should accelerate the development of science on Mars. Without direct guidance from Earth, the rover “shot” two targets with its SuperCam instrument.
