An illustration of Mars. For representational purposes.
Credit: iStock Photo
Ever since its discovery, Mars has continued to be an enigma for humankind, with the Red Planet's history (and whether it was capable of supporting life) being of particular interest to scientists.
Now, in yet another update from the Red Planet, NASA's Perseverance rover has stumbled upon a mysterious rock that could transform scientists' understanding of Mars.
As per reports, the rocks that have sparked excitement broke open when Perseverance landed in the Jezero Crater, but it didn't receive much attention then.
Initially dismissed as unremarkable, it wasn't until scientists directed Perseverence's SuperCam instrument at the rocks that they discovered something perplexing.
Upon examining the rocks, scientists found them to be packed with aluminum and kaolinite, a mineral that is only known to form in water-rich and warm environments like Earth,
Commenting on the findings, Purdue University planetary scientists Roger Wiens said, "On Earth, these minerals form where there is intense rainfall and a warm climate or in hydrothermal systems such as hot springs. Both environments are ideal conditions for life as we know it."
Challenging extant ideas
The presence of kaolinite, if confirmed, would enable scientists to challenge the assumption that Mars has always been a desolate wasteland.
In fact, if it is confirmed, it could give more credence to theories that suggest that Mars may have had long-standing bodies of water.
That being said, there are some questions: the kaolinite found on Mars appears to be far harder than similar rocks found on Earth, and scientists don't yet know why. Further, the Martian rocks were found to contain spinel, a mineral typically found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and scientists have yet to undertsand how the Martian rocks formed.
As it stands, Perseverance has identified around 4,000 fragments containing these minerals around the Jezero crater. These fragments seem to be detached from the bedrock, thereby making it difficult to pinpoint their origin.
If, however, Perseverance finds evidence of kaolinite embedded in the bedrock of the Martian surface, it could serve as direct evidence of Mars having long-standing water bodies, something that, in turn, lends support to the diea that the Red Planet was once capable of sustaining life.