December 23, 2024

Boulder Bonanza! Science and Sampling Attempts at the Onahu Outcrop on Mars

Mars Perseverance Sol 803– Left Mastcam-Z Camera: This image, caught by the Mastcam-Z video camera, shows our first tried sample noticeable in the tube. This image gotten on May 24, 2023 (Sol 803). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
The group therefore chosen to rearrange the rover and drive at an angle more favorable to getting rock inside the sample tube (and away from rover parts, considered that pebbles in our bit carousel previously caused the team some headaches before they finally removed them). The team also included additional Mastcam-Z imaging of television (see image above) to confirm that the rock made it in there before the sample was sealed.
Rock is noticeable, just ~ 1.3 cm of sample was gathered, so the team elected to re-attempt tasting on the Ouzel Falls abrasion area. This crumbly conglomerate continues to avert the Perseverance objective! Determination will drive approximately 40 m to a location called Stone Man Assess and pass whether corporations of interest for tasting exist there.
Mars Perseverance Sol 788– WATSON Camera: NASAs Mars Perseverance rover obtained this image utilizing its SHERLOC WATSON cam, situated on the turret at the end of the rovers robotic arm. This image was gotten on May 9, 2023 (Sol 788). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
In addition to Perseverances sampling attempts, the group has actually been utilizing Mastcam-Z and SuperCam to observe other nearby boulders. These include a rock theyve called “Crystal Lake” which reveals an intriguing surface area texture and might be composed of two different clast types; and “Milner Pass” which appears to have purple coverings.
Next up, the rover will be making its method towards the “margin system,” the carbonate-bearing rocks found along the inner rim of Jezero. Examining whether these deposits are similar to the olivine-rich Séítah, or something brand-new, will assist the group comprehend both the history of Jezero and the surrounding location.
Mars 2020 is special compared to previous rover objectives because, whilst it has the liberty to explore, eventually, Perseverance will rendezvous with the sample return car to hand off our samples for go back to Earth. This mission is a marathon, not a sprint, so the team is taking some time to enjoy the stops along the method!

Illustration of the Mars Perseverance Rover utilizing its SuperCam instrument to laser zap a rock in order to test what its made from. Credit: NASA
The Mars Perseverance Rover had a hard time to collect samples from a crumbly, possibly conglomerate rock at the Onahu outcrop, before exploring another location, Stone Man Pass. The rover continues to examine close-by stones and progress towards Jezeros inner rim, home to the expected carbonate-rich “margin unit,” in pursuit of insights into Mars geological history.
Recently on Mars, Perseverance wrestled with tasting a crumbly rock and continued the missions boulder-bonanza!
Determination invested 3 weeks exploring the Onahu outcrop, after having formerly performed an abrasion called Ouzel Falls. From this abrasion, researchers saw that the rock is more than likely a conglomerate worth tasting, however was also likely to be crumbly.

Mars Perseverance Sol 803– Left Mastcam-Z Camera: This image, caught by the Mastcam-Z cam, reveals our very first tried sample noticeable in the tube. Perseverance will drive around 40 m to an area called Stone Man Pass and evaluate whether corporations of interest for tasting exist there.
Mars Perseverance Sol 788– WATSON Camera: NASAs Mars Perseverance rover got this image using its SHERLOC WATSON electronic camera, located on the turret at the end of the rovers robotic arm. Next up, the rover will be making its method towards the “margin unit,” the carbonate-bearing rocks found along the inner rim of Jezero.