Mars's Mysterious Whites: Perseverance Rover Uncovers Puzzling Pebbles

While the exact source of the white rocks remains unknown, scientists speculate these "floats" were altered by heat, possibly due to lava or asteroid impacts elsewhere on Mars, before settling at the crater's bottom. "Considering the geological history of the Jezero crater, the appearance of the white rocks seems to have occurred relatively recently," notes Bedford.

Bedford reveals that the Perseverance rover embarked on a new mission aiming for the crater's edge this spring. This will enable it to use long-range cameras to capture more images of the white rocks scattered throughout Jezero. However, the quest to unravel the mysteries of the Martian rocks goes beyond simple curiosity. The scientists are also eager to explore, seeking unique geological features at the crater's bottom that have yet to be discovered. This includes rocks predating the crater itself, which might hold insights into the formation of Mars's crust and its climate. Furthermore, there's a possibility that these undiscovered rocks could bear evidence of biosignatures, pointing to traces of past life.