Perseverance Rover Archives

Colorized HiRISE map of the western edge of Jezero crater with rover traverse. The colors of the traverse indicate the location of different science campaigns with green showing the Crater Floor campaign (Section 2.1), orange showing the Fan Front campaign (Section 2.2), blue showing the Upper Fan campaign (Section 2.2), and pink showing the Margin Unit campaign (Section 2.4). Black arrows indicate the location of two investigations on boulders (Section 2.3). Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) scans are indicated by either a square, triangle, or circle, indicating data collected on a natural surface target, an abrasion patch, or an abrasion patch where a sample was also collected, respectively. Sols associated with the triangles and circles indicate when the rover was at that location. The location of Three Forks Depot is shown by a star for reference. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

Multiple Episodes of Fluid Alteration in Jezero Crater Indicated by MIST Mineral Identifications in PIXL XRF Data

by Keith CowingSeptember 23, 2025September 23, 2025

The Mineral Identification by Stoichiometry (MIST) algorithm can identify mineral species in geochemical data sets. MIST is applied to X-ray fluorescence chemical analyses from the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry […]

This image was acquired on Sept. 19, 2025 (Sol 1629) at the local mean solar time of 12:12:53. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU larger image

Astrogeology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

A Rock We Saw On Mars Last Friday

by Keith CowingSeptember 22, 2025September 22, 2025

This photo was selected by public vote and featured as “Image of the Week” for Week 240 (Sept. 14 – 20, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.

Mars Sample Tube Awaiting A Ride To Earth -- NASA

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

Desorption of Terrestrial Noble Gases in Mars 2020 Sample Tubes: Implications for Mars Sample Return

by Keith CowingSeptember 22, 2025September 22, 2025

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign aims to collect and transport to Earth samples of martian atmosphere contained in sample tubes onboard the Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance. Understanding and mitigating […]

a, Orbital context image with the rover traverse overlain in white. White line and arrows show the direction of the rover traverse from the southern contact between the Margin Unit and Neretva Vallis to the Bright Angel outcrop area and then to the Masonic Temple outcrop area. Labelled orange triangles show the locations of proximity science targets discussed in the text. b, Mastcam-Z 360° image mosaic looking at the contact between the light-toned Bright Angel Formation (foreground) and the topographically higher-standing Margin Unit from within the Neretva Vallis channel. This mosaic was collected on sol 1178 from the location of the Walhalla Glades target before abrasion. Upslope, about 110 m distant, the approximate location of the Beaver Falls workspace (containing the targets Cheyava Falls, Apollo Temple and Steamboat Mountain and the Sapphire Canyon sample) is shown. Downslope, about 50 m distant, the approximate location of the target Grapevine Canyon is also shown. In the distance, at the southern side of Neretva Vallis, the Masonic Temple outcrop area is just visible. Mastcam-Z enhanced colour RGB cylindrical projection mosaic from sol 1178, sequence IDs zcam09219 and zcam09220, acquired at 63-mm focal length. A flyover of this area is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FAYABW-c_Q. Scale bars (white), 100 m (a), 50 m (b, top) and 50 cm (b, bottom left). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS.

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Potential Biosignatures Found In An Ancient Mars Lake

by Keith CowingSeptember 11, 2025September 18, 2025

A new study suggests a habitable past and signs of ancient microbial processes on Mars – and Imperial scientists provided crucial context.

Mineralogical map of Jezero crater explored by the Perseverance rover. This mineral map was created from near-infrared (1-2.6 µm) CRISM imagery (Parente et al., 2021) using recently developed technologies (Itoh et al., 2021; Saranathan et al., 2021) and overlain on High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE ) imagery. The basaltic rocks at the landing site are dominated by the minerals olivine (red) and pyroxene (tan). Further west, in regions called the Western Fan and Margin Unit, sedimentary rocks predominate. Smectite clay minerals rich in iron and magnesium (light to dark blue tones) and carbonate rich in magnesium and iron (green-yellow tones) were formed through aqueous processes. Unusual iron phosphate and iron sulfide minerals were found at the Bright Angel and Masonic Temple sites near Neretva Vallis (Hurowitz et al., 2025). Other iron phosphate minerals were observed at the Onahu site in the Western Fan region. Credit M. Parente

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Habitable Zones, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Perseverance Rover Uncovers Clues To Ancient Martian Chemistry

by Keith CowingSeptember 11, 2025

NASA’s Perseverance Rover spent three years exploring the floor of Jezero Crater, located just north of the Martian equator.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovered leopard spots on a reddish rock nicknamed "Cheyava Falls" in Mars' Jezero Crater in July 2024. Scientists think the spots may indicate that, billions of years ago, the chemical reactions in this rock could have supported microbial life; other explanations are being considered. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release

NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year

by Keith CowingSeptember 10, 2025September 10, 2025

A sample collected by NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover from an ancient dry riverbed in Jezero Crater could preserve evidence of ancient microbial life. Taken from a rock named “Cheyava Falls” […]

Rocks in the Bright Angel Formation. NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover’s mast. This image was acquired on May 29, 2024 (Sol 1164) at the local mean solar time of 12:40:40. Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release

Researchers Uncover Potential Biosignatures On Mars

by Keith CowingSeptember 10, 2025September 10, 2025

A new study co-authored by Texas A&M University geologist Dr. Michael Tice has revealed potential chemical signatures of ancient Martian microbial life in rocks examined by NASA’s Perseverance rover.

(A) Colorized ACI image of the target Cheyava Falls, poppy seeds and leopard spots. PIXL (black dashed rectangle) and SHERLOC scan areas (blue and orange squares) overlain. -- Joel Hurowitz, et al.

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

NASA Mars News On Wednesday (Sneak Peek?)

by Keith CowingSeptember 9, 2025September 10, 2025

Editor’s note: [Important: Just a guess]: According to “NASA to Share Details of New Perseverance Mars Rover Finding“ there will be some Mars news – likely Astrobiology related – announced […]

This image was acquired on Aug. 13, 2025 (Sol 1593) at the local mean solar time of 13:03:04. larger image

Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

A Mars Vista From Last Week

by Keith CowingAugust 18, 2025August 18, 2025

This photo was selected by public vote and featured as “Image of the Week” for Week 235 (Aug. 10 – 16, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.

The original, untreated sample Heinz picked up on his Sedona hike, with spots similar to spots on the Mars Sapphire Canyon rock. Credit Nicholas Heinz

Analog Studies, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Studying Terrestrial Rocks To Prepare Techniques For Mars

by Keith CowingAugust 17, 2025August 17, 2025

In 2024, NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance collected an unusual rock sample. The rock, named Sapphire Canyon, features white, leopardlike spots with black borders within a red mudstone and might hold […]

Perseverance Rover

Multiple Episodes of Fluid Alteration in Jezero Crater Indicated by MIST Mineral Identifications in PIXL XRF Data

A Rock We Saw On Mars Last Friday

Desorption of Terrestrial Noble Gases in Mars 2020 Sample Tubes: Implications for Mars Sample Return

Potential Biosignatures Found In An Ancient Mars Lake

Perseverance Rover Uncovers Clues To Ancient Martian Chemistry

NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year

Researchers Uncover Potential Biosignatures On Mars

NASA Mars News On Wednesday (Sneak Peek?)

A Mars Vista From Last Week

Studying Terrestrial Rocks To Prepare Techniques For Mars

The Role Of Minerals In Prebiotic Evolution: Implications For Identifying Worlds With The Potential For Life’s Origin

Gen-EBM: An Energy Balance Model For Terrestrial Planets. Climate Multistability From Snowball To Post-runaway Greenhouse Climates

Astrometric Planet Search Around Southern Ultracool Dwarfs: V. Discovery Of The Exoplanet Candidate PALTA-1 b

Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Active Asteroid (101955) Bennu

SOPHIE And TESS Characterization Of Fourteen TESS Objects Of Interest: Nine Planetary Systems And Five Low-mass Stellar Companions