Perseverance rover has recently stopped near Overlook Mountain on Mars to analyze a rock known as Old Faithful Geyser. This location is situated within the Western side of the Margin Unit, an area rich in carbonate, which makes it of great interest to astrobiologists. Since entering the Eastern side of the Margin Unit 240 sols ago in September 2023, Perseverance has been moving steadily Westward and collecting samples from various locations.
During its journey, Perseverance has collected three cores from this area, including samples from Pelican Point, Lefroy Bay, and Comet Geyser. Remote science observations and close proximity to each target have confirmed the presence of carbonate in all three samples. However, the unique grains and mineral compositions in each rock suggest that the carbonate formations in the Eastern and Western parts of the Margin Unit may have different formation mechanisms and alteration histories.
The researchers are particularly interested in determining whether the carbonate-bearing rocks in the Western area were formed through sedimentary, igneous, or volcaniclastic processes. By studying these unique compositions, they hope to gain a better understanding of the geological history of this area on Mars.
