- The “zebra rock” is the newest of the bizarre rocks on Mars, discovered by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The rock has distinct darkish and lightweight stripes much like these on zebras. It’s all by itself, with no comparable rocks close by.
- Scientists stated the zebra rock is perhaps volcanic in origin, fashioned from magma or by different processes involving warmth and stress under the floor. It might have rolled down the crater rim to its present location.
- Perseverance additionally found a brand new Mars “face.” It’s a rock formation that appears like a face mendacity on its aspect.
‘Zebra rock’ on Mars surprises scientists
A few weeks in the past, NASA’s Perseverance rover got here throughout an attention-grabbing rock. It was harking back to the coat of a zebra, with alternating black-and-white stripes. Not one of the rovers or earlier landers had seen a rock fairly prefer it earlier than. Additionally, it was sitting all by itself, with no different comparable rocks within the neighborhood. How did it type, and the way did it get there? NASA mentioned the intriguing discovery in a brand new replace on September 23, 2024.
Perseverance was touring alongside a comparatively flat stretch of pebbly terrain because it was starting its ascent up the rim of Jezero crater. And that’s when it noticed the “zebra rock.” Even from a distance it appeared uncommon within the lower-resolution Navcam cameras. The mission crew nicknamed it Freya Citadel.
The rover moved nearer and used its Mastcam-Z digital camera to get a greater look. The black-and-white stripes have been then simpler to see. The rock itself was principally oval-shaped and about 1/2 foot, or 20 cm, lengthy.
What’s it?
After all, as quickly as the pictures have been launched, individuals started speculating concerning the striped rock. What was it? How did it get there? As NASA famous:
The web instantly lit up with hypothesis about what this “zebra rock” is perhaps, and we’ve loved studying your theories!
The rover solely did some normal observations of the rock earlier than it needed to transfer on. Nevertheless it did discover some intriguing hints. The science crew thinks that igneous and/or metamorphic processes possible fashioned the rock. Certainly, different hypothesis advised it is perhaps a gneiss, a sort of metamorphic rock with comparable sorts of stripes. Igneous rocks type when molten rock, magma or lava, cools after which solidifies. Metamorphic rocks type when warmth, stress or reactive fluids (equivalent to sizzling, mineral-laden water) change present rocks.
However why is Freya Citadel all by itself? NASA stated it possible originated from someplace else and was in some way deposited at its present location. It might have rolled downhill from greater up on the crater rim. With that in thoughts, the science crew is hoping that Perseverance could discover extra rocks prefer it because it continues to climb greater up the crater rim.
The brand new Mars face and different curious rocks
That is simply the newest uncommon rock that Perseverance has come throughout in its travels. Final July, the rover discovered a rock with bizarre leopard spots on it. The rock is in an previous riverbed that cuts by way of the crater rim. Scientists stated the spots is perhaps associated to historical microbial life. Perseverance obtained samples of the rock that can at some point be returned to Earth as a part of the Mars Pattern Return program for additional research.
And simply prior to now few days, the rover additionally got here throughout a rock that appears rather a lot like an individual’s face mendacity sideways on the bottom. It’s a case of pareidolia, that’s, seeing a significant sample or picture that isn’t really there … Nevertheless it does get your consideration!
Backside line: NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered an uncommon striped “zebra rock” on Mars in contrast to any rocks seen earlier than. How did it type and the way did it get there?
Learn extra: Historical life on Mars? Rover finds intriguing ‘leopard spots’
Learn extra: Perseverance rover explores Shiny Angel in historical riverbed
