NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover Sets Sights on ‘Krokodillen’: Discover the Exciting Mission to Explore Mars!

Scientists are excited about a new area on Mars called “Krokodillen.” This site might hold some of the oldest rocks on the planet. NASA’s Perseverance rover is exploring this spot to learn more about Mars’ ancient history. Krokodillen sits at the edge of Jezero Crater and separates the oldest rocks from younger ones in the plains outside the crater.

Ken Farley, a NASA scientist, described the last few months of study as a “geologic whirlwind.” The exploration of Krokodillen may reveal fascinating findings similar to those from a previous location, Witch Hazel Hill.

Krokodillen, which means “the crocodile” in Norwegian, spans 73 acres and is a rocky plateau that marks a significant geological boundary. Initial studies in this area found clays in the ancient bedrock. These clays are vital because they form only with the presence of liquid water. This suggests that Mars may have supported life in its early days, likely before the impact that created Jezero Crater.

Farley notes that if they uncover signs of past life here, it could be from a much older period of Martian history than previous discoveries. The rocks at Krokodillen date back to the Noachian era, one of Mars’ oldest geological periods.

Data from NASA’s Mars orbiters indicate that Krokodillen might also have areas rich in minerals like olivine and carbonate. Olivine forms from magma, while carbonate minerals often arise from reactions between rock and water. On Earth, these carbonates help preserve fossilized microbial life and historical climate data.

After 1,500 days exploring Mars, Perseverance is currently examining a rocky outcrop in Krokodillen called “Copper Cove.” This site may contain ancient Noachian rocks.

The rover has adopted a new strategy that allows it to leave some rock samples unsealed. This flexibility means that if a more interesting geological feature appears later, the team can swap out older samples. So far, Perseverance has collected various rock and soil samples, including a recent core from a site called “Bell Island.” This core features small round stones known as spherules.

NASA scientist Katie Stack Morgan emphasized that every sample tells a unique story. The rover still has seven empty sample tubes, providing room for more exciting finds in the future.

Before adopting this unsealed tube strategy, engineers carefully studied whether it could affect the quality of the samples. They confirmed the cleanliness standards within the rover would minimize contamination risks.

As the Perseverance mission continues, it promises to enhance our understanding of Mars’ past and its potential to have harbored life.

For detailed insights, you can check NASA’s updates on their [Mars Exploration Program](https://mars.nasa.gov/).

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Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mars, Perseverance (Rover)