Crimson Rocks with Inexperienced Spots at ‘Serpentine Rapids’

by Adrian Broz | Postdoctoral Scientist, Purdue College

West Lafayette, IN (SPX) Oct 27, 2024

After discovering and sampling the “leopard spots” of “Vibrant Angel,” it grew to become obvious that Perseverance’s journey of discovery on this area was not but completed. Roughly 20 sols (Martian days) after driving south throughout Neretva Vallis from Vibrant Angel, the rover found the enigmatic and distinctive crimson rocks of “Serpentine Rapids.”

At Serpentine Rapids, Perseverance used its abrading bit to create an abrasion patch in a crimson rock outcrop named “Wallace Butte.” The 5-cm diameter abrasion patch revealed a putting array of white, black, and inexperienced colours inside the rock. One of many largest surprises for the rover crew was the presence of the drab-green-colored spots inside the abrasion patch, that are composed of dark-toned cores with fuzzy, mild inexperienced rims.

On Earth, crimson rocks – typically referred to as “crimson beds” – usually get their shade from oxidized iron (Fe3+), which is similar type of iron that makes our blood crimson, or the rusty crimson shade of steel left outdoors. Inexperienced spots like these noticed within the Wallace Butte abrasion are frequent in historical “crimson beds” on Earth and type when liquid water percolates via the sediment earlier than it hardens to rock, kicking off a chemical response that transforms oxidized iron to its decreased (Fe2+) type, leading to a greenish hue. On Earth, microbes are typically concerned on this iron discount response. Nonetheless, inexperienced spots can even outcome from decaying natural matter that creates localized lowering circumstances. Interactions between sulfur and iron can even create iron-reducing circumstances with out the involvement of microbial life.

Sadly, there was not sufficient room to securely place the rover arm containing the SHERLOC and PIXL devices straight atop one of many inexperienced spots inside the abrasion patch, so their composition stays a thriller. Nonetheless, the crew is all the time looking out for related fascinating and sudden options within the rocks.

The science and engineering groups at the moment are coping with extremely steep terrain as Perseverance ascends the Jezero Crater rim. Within the meantime, the Science Workforce is hanging on to the sting of their seats with pleasure and surprise as Perseverance makes the steep climb out of the crater it has referred to as dwelling for the previous two years. There isn’t a scarcity of surprise and pleasure throughout the crew as we ponder what secrets and techniques the traditional rocks of the Jezero Crater rim could maintain.

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