Formed more than 3.5 billion years ago, Jezero offered the possibility of capturing in stone the conditions in which life might once have existed.

The secrets of Jezero crater: The Martian lake NASA thinks could have hosted life

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. While the initial ascent was slower, Perseverance is now moving remarkably faster and has cruised along a flatter stretch.&nbsp;

While the rover&nbsp;was travelling through a pebbly terrain of Jezero, team members spotted a cobble in the distance that looked unusual. Low-resolution Navcam images showed that it likely had an unusual texture. They named it Freya Castle and planned a multispectral observation using the Mastcam-Z camera.

After the Perseverance rover had moved on in its journey, data downlinked a couple of days later surprised the researchers. Clearer photos of the rock showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. The picture has created a frenzy as people are intrigued to know more about this "zebra rock".

Scientists say that the rock is unlike any other ever found not only in the Jezero Crater but all of Mars. While they are not sure of its chemical composition, as per early interpretations igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes.

The Freya Castle is a lone stone and completely&nbsp;different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/curiosity-rover-cuts-open-rock-on-mars-spilling-out-an-unexpected-secret-742213">Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret</a>

As Perseverance continues to travel upwards, scientists are excited by what more it might find. Finding more such rocks will help them acquire more detailed measurements.

<h2>Sulfur in Mars rocks</h2>

This is not the first time that a fascinating rock has been found on Mars. The vicinity of the crater rim had earlier presented an increased variety of rocks, such as the diverse collection of boulders at Mount Washburn.&nbsp;

A few weeks back, Curiosity Rover drove over some stones, cracking open one of them and yellow sulfur crystal tumbled out, a first for the red planet.&nbsp;

“Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.&nbsp;

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim.

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. While the initial ascent was slower, Perseverance is now moving remarkably faster and has cruised along a flatter stretch. While the rover was travelling through a pebbly terrain of Jezero, team members spotted a cobble in the distance that looked unusual. Low-resolution Navcam images showed that it likely had an unusual texture. They named it Freya Castle and planned a multispectral observation using the Mastcam-Z camera. After the Perseverance rover had moved on in its journey, data downlinked a couple of days later surprised the researchers. Clearer photos of the rock showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. The picture has created a frenzy as people are intrigued to know more about this "zebra rock". Scientists say that the rock is unlike any other ever found not only in the Jezero Crater but all of Mars. While they are not sure of its chemical composition, as per early interpretations igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes. The Freya Castle is a lone stone and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. Also Read: Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret As Perseverance continues to travel upwards, scientists are excited by what more it might find. Finding more such rocks will help them acquire more detailed measurements. Sulfur in Mars rocks This is not the first time that a fascinating rock has been found on Mars. The vicinity of the crater rim had earlier presented an increased variety of rocks, such as the diverse collection of boulders at Mount Washburn. A few weeks back, Curiosity Rover drove over some stones, cracking open one of them and yellow sulfur crystal tumbled out, a first for the red planet. “Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.

Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from?

NASA's Perseverance Rover has uncovered new details about water on the red planet Mars. The latest insights reveal signs of an ancient lake and river delta on Mars's Jezero crater.

NASA's Perseverance Rover finds new clues about water on Mars

NASA has found evidence that water flowed on Mars about a billion years longer than previous estimates.

The new research from the US space agency reveals signs of liquid water on the Red Planet as recently as 2 billion to 2.5 billion years ago.

Previously, it was believed that Mars rippled with rivers and ponds 3 billion years ago.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/video-indian-american-scientist-swati-mohan-played-key-role-in-nasa-mars-rover-landing-364941/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As the planet’s atmosphere thinned over time, that water evaporated and left behind a frozen desert. Between 30-99 per cent of the initial water which was on Mars remains trapped inside minerals.

Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, has a diameter of about 4,220 miles (6,791 km), compared to Earth's diameter of about 7,926 miles (12,755 km).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-mars-rover-probing-undisturbed-ancient-time-capsule-on-red-planet-428788">Also read |&nbsp;NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet</a>

As per NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), the Jezero crater on Mars was the site of an ancient river that has bolstered the search of signs of life on Mars.

NASA astrobiologist Amy Williams and her team in Florida found similarities between features of the cliffs seen from the crater floor and patterns in Earth's river deltas.

The shape of the bottom three layers showed a presence and steady flow of water early on, indicating Mars was "warm and humid enough to support a hydrologic cycle."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-three-microbes-that-may-help-grow-plants-on-mars-370933">Also read |&nbsp;NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars</a>

The top and most recent layers feature boulders measuring more than a metre in diameter scattered about, probably carried there by violent flooding.&nbsp;

But it is the fine-grained sediment of the base layer that will likely be the target of sampling for signs of long-extinct life, if it existed, on Mars.

Scientists Ellen Leask and Bethany Ehlmann found salts were in depressions, once home to shallow ponds, on gently sloping volcanic plains.

“What is amazing is that after more than a decade of providing high-resolution image, stereo, and infrared data, MRO has driven new discoveries about the nature and timing of these river-connected ancient salt ponds,” said Ehlmann.

“Part of the value of MRO is that our view of the planet keeps getting more detailed over time,” said Leslie Tamppari, the mission’s deputy project scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

“The more of the planet we map with our instruments, the better we can understand its history.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

NASA has found evidence that water flowed on Mars about a billion years longer than previous estimates. The new research from the US space agency reveals signs of liquid water on the Red Planet as recently as 2 billion to 2.

NASA has found evidence that water flowed on Mars about a billion years longer than previous estimates. The new research from the US space agency reveals signs of liquid water on the Red Planet as recently as 2 billion to 2.5 billion years ago. Previously, it was believed that Mars rippled with rivers and ponds 3 billion years ago. As the planet’s atmosphere thinned over time, that water evaporated and left behind a frozen desert. Between 30-99 per cent of the initial water which was on Mars remains trapped inside minerals. Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, has a diameter of about 4,220 miles (6,791 km), compared to Earth's diameter of about 7,926 miles (12,755 km). Also read | NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet As per NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), the Jezero crater on Mars was the site of an ancient river that has bolstered the search of signs of life on Mars. NASA astrobiologist Amy Williams and her team in Florida found similarities between features of the cliffs seen from the crater floor and patterns in Earth's river deltas. The shape of the bottom three layers showed a presence and steady flow of water early on, indicating Mars was "warm and humid enough to support a hydrologic cycle." Also read | NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars The top and most recent layers feature boulders measuring more than a metre in diameter scattered about, probably carried there by violent flooding. But it is the fine-grained sediment of the base layer that will likely be the target of sampling for signs of long-extinct life, if it existed, on Mars. Scientists Ellen Leask and Bethany Ehlmann found salts were in depressions, once home to shallow ponds, on gently sloping volcanic plains. “What is amazing is that after more than a decade of providing high-resolution image, stereo, and infrared data, MRO has driven new discoveries about the nature and timing of these river-connected ancient salt ponds,” said Ehlmann. “Part of the value of MRO is that our view of the planet keeps getting more detailed over time,” said Leslie Tamppari, the mission’s deputy project scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). “The more of the planet we map with our instruments, the better we can understand its history.” (With inputs from agencies)

Water flowed on Mars about a billion years longer than previous estimates: NASA

NASA's Mars rover is investigating an undisturbed ancient time capsule on the Red planet.

Known as the Jezero crater, it was the site of a lake 3.7 billion years ago. The long-gone river once fed a lake, depositing sediment in a fan-shaped delta visible from space.&nbsp;The ancient river has bolstered the search of signs of life on Mars.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shares-perseverance-rovers-breathtaking-recording-of-ingenuity-flight-on-mars-430781">NASA shares Perseverance rover's breathtaking recording of Ingenuity flight on Mars</a>

NASA's Perseverance rover has released images from Mars that reveal how water helped shape the Red Planet's landscape billions of years ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-offer-hint-on-how-suns-death-might-unfold-428057" hreflang="en">Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold</a>

It had taken a break from solar conjunction which refers to a period when the sun is between the Earth and Mars.

NASA astrobiologist Amy Williams and her team in Florida found similarities between features of the cliffs seen from the crater floor and patterns in Earth's river deltas.

The shape of the bottom three layers showed a presence and steady flow of water early on, indicating Mars was "warm and humid enough to support a hydrologic cycle."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-element-is-found-in-both-our-teeth-and-in-a-galaxy-which-is-12-billion-light-years-away-426901">Also read |&nbsp;This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away</a>

The top and most recent layers feature boulders measuring more than a metre in diameter scattered about, probably carried there by violent flooding.&nbsp;

But it is the fine-grained sediment of the base layer that will likely be the target of sampling for signs of long-extinct life,&nbsp;if it existed,&nbsp;on Mars.

The findings will help researchers figure out where to send the rover for soil and rocks that may contain precious "biosignatures" of putative Martian life forms.&nbsp;

"From orbital images, we knew it had to be water that formed the delta," Williams said in a press release.&nbsp;

"But having these images is like reading a book instead of just looking at the cover."

Finding out whether life may have existed on Mars is the main mission of Perseverence, a project that took decades and cost billions of dollars to develop.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Mars rover is investigating an undisturbed ancient time capsule on the Red planet. Known as the Jezero crater, it was the site of a lake 3.7 billion years ago.

NASA's Mars rover is investigating an undisturbed ancient time capsule on the Red planet. Known as the Jezero crater, it was the site of a lake 3.7 billion years ago. The long-gone river once fed a lake, depositing sediment in a fan-shaped delta visible from space. The ancient river has bolstered the search of signs of life on Mars. Also Read | NASA shares Perseverance rover's breathtaking recording of Ingenuity flight on Mars NASA's Perseverance rover has released images from Mars that reveal how water helped shape the Red Planet's landscape billions of years ago. Also read | Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold It had taken a break from solar conjunction which refers to a period when the sun is between the Earth and Mars. NASA astrobiologist Amy Williams and her team in Florida found similarities between features of the cliffs seen from the crater floor and patterns in Earth's river deltas. The shape of the bottom three layers showed a presence and steady flow of water early on, indicating Mars was "warm and humid enough to support a hydrologic cycle." Also read | This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away The top and most recent layers feature boulders measuring more than a metre in diameter scattered about, probably carried there by violent flooding. But it is the fine-grained sediment of the base layer that will likely be the target of sampling for signs of long-extinct life, if it existed, on Mars. The findings will help researchers figure out where to send the rover for soil and rocks that may contain precious "biosignatures" of putative Martian life forms. "From orbital images, we knew it had to be water that formed the delta," Williams said in a press release. "But having these images is like reading a book instead of just looking at the cover." Finding out whether life may have existed on Mars is the main mission of Perseverence, a project that took decades and cost billions of dollars to develop. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet

According to NASA, the Mars Perseverance mission will search for signs of ancient life on the Martian surface similar to rocks found along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey.

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover landed on Jezero Crater last month. Scientists believe it was home to a river delta nearly 3.5 billion years ago.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the rocks along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey were formed by microbes that trap minerals and sediments in the water which was once a major life form on Earth. It is supposed to be one of the oldest known fossilized records of life on our planet, according to NASA.

"We are going to bring, tens of those back and each one of those samples, we hope will give us just like Lake Salda the information about microbial life," NASA doctor Thomas Zurbuchen said.

NASA's Perseverance rover now housed in Mars will investigate whether there are microbialites in Jezero Crater. It will also compare sediments collected from Lake Salda with fossilised remains at Mars to understand the differences between the Mars sediments and Lake Salda.

A journal Icarus had earlier identified deposits of minerals called carbonates along the inner rim of Jezero Crater.&nbsp;NASA's Perseverance equipped with the latest high tech designs aims to build on the discoveries of Curiosity which found parts of Mars could have supported microbial life billions of years ago.

NASA scientists believe the Jezero Crater measuring 45 kilometres once hosted a river delta. Perseverance expects to explore both the crater floor and delta during the mission.

According to NASA, the Mars Perseverance mission will search for signs of ancient life on the Martian surface similar to rocks found along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey.

According to NASA, the Mars Perseverance mission will search for signs of ancient life on the Martian surface similar to rocks found along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey. NASA's Perseverance Mars rover landed on Jezero Crater last month. Scientists believe it was home to a river delta nearly 3.5 billion years ago. Interestingly, the rocks along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey were formed by microbes that trap minerals and sediments in the water which was once a major life form on Earth. It is supposed to be one of the oldest known fossilized records of life on our planet, according to NASA. "We are going to bring, tens of those back and each one of those samples, we hope will give us just like Lake Salda the information about microbial life," NASA doctor Thomas Zurbuchen said. NASA's Perseverance rover now housed in Mars will investigate whether there are microbialites in Jezero Crater. It will also compare sediments collected from Lake Salda with fossilised remains at Mars to understand the differences between the Mars sediments and Lake Salda. A journal Icarus had earlier identified deposits of minerals called carbonates along the inner rim of Jezero Crater. NASA's Perseverance equipped with the latest high tech designs aims to build on the discoveries of Curiosity which found parts of Mars could have supported microbial life billions of years ago. NASA scientists believe the Jezero Crater measuring 45 kilometres once hosted a river delta. Perseverance expects to explore both the crater floor and delta during the mission.

NASA's Perseverance to study Turkey's Lake Salda samples similar to Jezero Crater

NASA releases Mars panorama taken by Perseverance rover

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