SuperCam Archives

(a) Mastcam-Z image of the base of the delta with the Rockytop outcrop within the 6 m high scarp (sol 429, zcam08452) located at the base of the Tenby formation immediately overlying the Hogwallow Flats light-toned deposits. The white arrow indicates the fallen block where the SuperCam target Fourway has been analyzed. -- JGR Planets

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

In Situ Carbonation of Sedimentary and Igneous Rocks of Ultramafic Composition in Jezero Crater, Mars

by Keith CowingMay 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Over 3.5 years of exploration in Jezero Crater, the Perseverance rover has explored several geological units of diverse origins and natures, performing multi-technique remote analyses of the chemistry and mineralogy […]

PIXL micro-XRF observation from the third “Apollo Temple” scan (a,b), alongside a SHERLOC WATSON color image for context (c). An RGB composite shows the areas with relative enrichment of FeOT, SO3, and SiO2 where brownish tones highlight Fe-sulfide (a). Zones of Ni enrichment are seen in yellow (b) and marked with white arrows (a,b,c). Dashed black box shows the approximate area of the PIXL scan (c). Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

Strong Nickel Enrichment Co-located With Redox-organic Interactions In Neretva Vallis, Mars

by Keith CowingApril 8, 2026April 8, 2026

In 2024, NASA’s Perseverance rover explored Neretva Vallis, an ancient river channel that once transported water into Jezero crater.

Image of Coffee_Cove (Sol 1466) with the locations and fields of view for the luminescence analyses (a). Comparison of the luminescence spectra taken on Hampden_River and Coffee_Cove compared to lab spectra collected on a pure ruby, ruby in an amphibolite rock, and diaspore -- LPSC

Analog Studies, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

SuperCam Identifies Corundum In Jezero Crater, Mars, Using Time-Resolved Luminescence Spectroscopy

by Keith CowingApril 2, 2026April 2, 2026

The Perseverance rover recently began exploring the Jezero crater rim after traversing the crater floor, fan deposits, and margin unit. In the rim deposits, several plagioclase-rich light-toned float rocks (LTF) […]

Perseverance confirmed a long-suspected phenomenon in which electrical discharges and their associated shock waves can be born within Red Planet mini-twisters.

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Desert Worlds, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Electric Sparks Detected By Perseverance In Mars Dust Devils And Storms

by Keith CowingDecember 3, 2025December 3, 2025

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has recorded the sounds of electrical discharges —sparks — and mini-sonic booms in dust devils on Mars. Long theorized, the phenomenon has now been confirmed through […]

NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this close-up view showing the cavernous weathering texture of an unusually shaped rock, “Phippsaksla,

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

Perseverance Encounters A Possible Meteorite On Mars

by Keith CowingNovember 18, 2025November 18, 2025

During the rover’s recent investigation of the bedrock at “Vernodden,” Perseverance encountered an unusually shaped rock about 80 centimeters across (about 31 inches) called “Phippsaksla.”

NASA’s Perseverance rover uses an abrading bit to get below the surface of a rocky outcrop nicknamed “Kenmore” on June 10. The eight images that make up this video were taken approximately one minute apart by one of the rover’s front hazard-avoidance cameras. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Perseverance Grinds Rocks On Mars For Science

by Keith CowingJune 25, 2025June 25, 2025

In addition to drilling rock core samples, the science team has been grinding its way into rocks to make sense of the scientific evidence hiding just below the surface.

Images: SuperCam RMI color images showing various types of textures.

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Unburied Treasure: Rover Researchers Find Unexpected Minerals On Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Sometimes scientists must dig and work and sweat to make scientific discoveries. And sometimes a robot rolls over a rock that turns out to be a revelation.

NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of its 26th collected rock sample, “Silver Mountain,” using its onboard Sample Caching System Camera (CacheCam), located inside the rover underbelly. It looks down into the top of a sample tube to take close-up pictures of the sampled material and the tube as it’s prepared for sealing and storage. This image was acquired on Jan. 28, 2025 — sol 1401, or Martian day 1,401 of the Mars 2020 mission — at the local mean solar time of 18:49:01.-- NASA/JPL-Caltech larger image

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Mars Perseverance Collects A Noachian-aged Outcrop Sample

by Keith CowingFebruary 7, 2025February 7, 2025

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover continues to live up to its name, pushing forward in search of ancient Martian secrets. Following a brief period of system verification and remote testing, […]

Visible wavelength decorrelation stretch (DCS) of Mastcam-Z image (Sol 676, zcam03518) demonstrating the spectral diversity of the Shenandoah formation near Hawksbill Gap showing stratigraphic members of the Shenandoah formation (from Stack et al. (2024)). Decorrelation stretch is L2 (754 nm) L5 (528 nm) and L6 (442 nm) where red, orange and magenta hues are associated with materials exhibiting variable states of oxidation and green to blue are ferrous minerals (e.g., olivine, pyroxene) combined with variable dust cover (Vaughan et al., 2023). -- JGR Planets

Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

Diagenetic History and Biosignature Preservation Potential of Fine-Grained Rocks at Hogwallow Flats, Jezero Crater, Mars

by Keith CowingDecember 10, 2024December 10, 2024

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover discovered fine-grained clastic sedimentary rocks in the “Hogwallow Flats” member of the “Shenandoah” formation at Jezero crater, Mars.

Bright white float rocks on the Jezero crater rim Mars Perseverance Sol 1311: Left Mastcam-Z Camera Nov 12, 2024 NASA/JPL-Caltech Larger image

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Perseverance Observes Unusual White Float Rocks On Mars

by Keith CowingNovember 15, 2024November 15, 2024

During its recent exploration of the crater rim, Perseverance diverted to explore a strange, scattered field of bright white rocks which sparked the interest of the team scientists.

SuperCam

In Situ Carbonation of Sedimentary and Igneous Rocks of Ultramafic Composition in Jezero Crater, Mars

Strong Nickel Enrichment Co-located With Redox-organic Interactions In Neretva Vallis, Mars

SuperCam Identifies Corundum In Jezero Crater, Mars, Using Time-Resolved Luminescence Spectroscopy

Electric Sparks Detected By Perseverance In Mars Dust Devils And Storms

Perseverance Encounters A Possible Meteorite On Mars

Perseverance Grinds Rocks On Mars For Science

Unburied Treasure: Rover Researchers Find Unexpected Minerals On Mars

Mars Perseverance Collects A Noachian-aged Outcrop Sample

Diagenetic History and Biosignature Preservation Potential of Fine-Grained Rocks at Hogwallow Flats, Jezero Crater, Mars

Perseverance Observes Unusual White Float Rocks On Mars

NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,206 2 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)

Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) Concerns

Bridging Astrobiology Research and Education Through Interactive Learning Frameworks

Viking In The History And Future Of Astrobiology Programs

Collaborating With Artists In The Search For Life