NASA’s Perseverance rover has detected an unusual rock formation on Mars that scientists suspect may be an iron-nickel meteorite. The object, nicknamed Phippsaksla, stands out due to its sculpted shape and prominent position above the surrounding terrain within Jezero crater. This discovery is notable because previous rovers, including Curiosity, Opportunity, and Spirit, have identified metal-rich meteorites elsewhere on the planet, but Perseverance had yet to encounter one until now.
The Discovery and Initial Findings
The 2.5-foot-wide rock drew the attention of the mission team due to its anomalous appearance. Perseverance first photographed Phippsaksla on September 2 and again on September 19. Preliminary data from the rover’s SuperCam instrument, which uses a laser to analyze rock composition, revealed high levels of iron and nickel — a chemical signature consistent with meteorites originating from large asteroids.
Why Meteorite Discoveries Matter
The absence of confirmed meteorites along Perseverance’s route had puzzled scientists. The rover’s exploration area, like Gale Crater where Curiosity operates, has a similar age and a history of impacts, suggesting meteorites should be present. This makes the Phippsaksla discovery particularly significant.
What We Know About Martian Meteorites
Meteorites are common throughout the solar system, but they are harder to spot on Mars than on Earth. Approximately 48.5 tons of this space debris reaches Earth daily, but most burns up in the atmosphere or falls into the oceans. Only around 60,000 meteorites have been identified on Earth to date.
On Mars, iron-nickel meteorites tend to survive well due to the thin atmosphere and harsh environment. Since 2005, The Meteoritical Society has formally recognized 15 Martian meteorites spotted by rovers, including Curiosity’s 2023 discovery of the rock nicknamed Cacao.
Why Some Meteorites Remain Visible
Scientists suspect that iron meteorites resist erosion on Mars, which may explain why some appear perched on flat ground rather than embedded in craters. In other cases, craters may have weathered away over time, leaving only the meteorite behind. Perseverance is now operating on older bedrock outside Jezero crater, an area where meteorites may be more likely to be found.
Next Steps
The mission team is planning further analysis to confirm Phippsaksla’s origin. If confirmed as a meteorite, it will add Perseverance to the list of Mars rovers that have investigated fragments of rocky visitors to the planet. This discovery will contribute to a better understanding of the solar system’s composition and the processes that shape planetary surfaces.
The detection of this unusual rock formation underscores the importance of continued robotic exploration on Mars, offering valuable insights into the planet’s geological history and the broader context of the solar system
