NASA rover discovers mysterious Mars boulder unlike any others
NASA's Perseverance rover finds unique boulder "Atoco Point" on Mars, possibly an anorthosite, hinting at complex early Martian crust. Discovery prompts questions on Mars-Earth similarities. Sample collection delayed for more findings. Mars Sample Return mission faces cost challenges.
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NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered a unique boulder on Mars, unlike any seen before on the planet. The boulder, named "Atoco Point," is believed to be an anorthosite, a type of rock never previously observed on Mars. This finding could suggest that Mars' early crust was more complex than previously thought, potentially similar to Earth's original crust. The discovery raises questions about the evolution of Mars and its potential similarities to Earth. Scientists speculate that the boulder may have originated from below the Martian surface and was brought to its current location by a giant impact or ancient river activity. Despite the significance of Atoco Point, the rover team decided not to collect a sample immediately, hoping to find more similar rocks when the rover reaches the crater rim in the coming months. The mission to bring Mars samples back to Earth, known as Mars Sample Return, faces challenges due to rising costs, leading to concerns about potential cancellation.
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6 commentsThis article is so drawn out it counts as click bait.
> The boulder is so exceptional, scientists have said it's in a league of its own,
the link they give actually never says that, Someone said :
> and potentially its chemical composition
— Atoko Point it is in a league of its own.
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-perseverance-fords-an-an...
I'll be the first to appreciate space news. This is good but it's tempered
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