NASA has released its clearest view of Mars yet, with blue rocks observed across the planet’s landscape.
The images were taken by the Perseverance rover as it explored the planet.
Jagged boulders of dark blue volcanic basalt have been found atop the dried remains of an ancient lake bed, according to archaeologists. Daily Mail.
10 fun facts about Mars, also known as the Red Planet
NASA has released its clearest view of Mars yet, with blue rocks observed across the planet’s landscape. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)
NASA found the rocks on what it called “Mount Washburn,” a rocky field located in Jezero Crater, where an ancient lake is believed to have existed billions of years ago.
The boulder field was named “Mount Washburn” in honor of the mountain in Yellowstone National Park.
SpaceX is launching a mission to the space station that will return stranded NASA astronauts next year
The rover found a white-striped rock within a field of blue rocks. (NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover)
The rover found a white-striped rock within a field of blue rocks. The Perseverance science team named the light-colored rock with dark spots “Atoko Point.”
While the blue rocks are primarily volcanic basalt, typical of Mars’ terrain, NASA has concluded that “Atoko Point” is made of anorthosite, a silica-rich volcanic rock, which has never been documented on Mars.
The boulder field was named “Mount Washburn” in honor of the mountain in Yellowstone National Park. (NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
This type of rock has been hypothesized to exist but has never been seen on Mars. According to Marca.
“Are there other rocks like this near the edge of Jezero Crater? I’m on my way to find out,” Perseverance’s X account said.
“Devoted student. Bacon advocate. Beer scholar. Troublemaker. Falls down a lot. Typical coffee enthusiast.”