Mars rover finds unique boulder, hints at ancient geological processes

Brad Garczynski, co-leader of the current scientific campaign at Western Washington University in Bellingham, noted in a statement: "The diversity of textures and compositions at Mount Washburn was an exciting discovery for the team, as these rocks represent a grab bag of geologic gifts brought down from the crater rim and potentially beyond. But among all these different rocks, there was one that really caught our attention"

The bright boulder, named "Atoko Point" in honor of a similar location in the Grand Canyon, is 18 inches wide and 14 inches tall. It stands out against the darker rocks surrounding it. "In terms of size, shape, and arrangement of mineral grains and crystals—and potentially even chemical composition—Atoko Point is unique," reports NASA.

Using the SuperCam and Mastcam-Z instruments, the Perseverance rover determined that the boulder was composed of pyroxene and feldspar. It is unclear, however, how it ended up on Mount Washburn, surrounded by rocks of a completely different composition. One theory suggests that it originated from an underground magma reservoir exposed at some point in Mars' history due to erosion. Another possibility is that an ancient river transported it.

"Regardless of its origin, the team believes that Atoko is the first find of its kind, but certainly not the last," noted the statement. After briefly analyzing the unique rock, the Perseverance rover continued its journey toward the next stop, Bright Angel, where it will continue searching for signs of ancient life on Mars.

It is worth noting that the Perseverance rover landed on the Red Planet in February 2021 and has since been searching for signs of life. Its primary mission is to collect samples of Martian rocks and sediments to eventually send them back to Earth, which will likely happen in the early 2030s.