Perseverance Rover Finds Strange Zebra-Striped Rock on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered an unusual black-and-white striped rock on Mars in Jezero Crater. The rock, dubbed “Freya Castle” by scientists, has a distinctive texture and appearance never before seen on the Red Planet. The discovery was made in September using a camera mounted on the rover’s mast. Although Perseverance had already left the area, the images were captured and analyzed after Perseverance moved on, sparking interest among scientists about the rock’s origins and composition.

What is Freya Castle?

Freya Castle is about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter and is thought to have formed through igneous or metamorphic processes. NASA scientists to suggest that the streaks may have been caused by crystallization of magma or changes in rock due to high temperatures and pressure. Because the rock is different from the underlying rock, it probably came from another location and rolled down to its current position in the crater.

The hunt for more clues

NASA officials are eager to learn more about Freya Castle, hoping the rover will encounter more rocks like it as it continues its journey up the mountain. Perseverance is currently navigating the slopes of Jezero Crater, which it first reached in February 2021. The rover’s Crater Rim Campaign marks its fifth major mission on Mars, aimed at discovering signs of ancient life and learning about the planet’s early geologic history.

Previous discoveries by Perseverance

During its time on Mars, Perseverance has made several fascinating discoveries, from ancient lake sediments to other unusual rock formations. Art Thompson, Perseverance project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, was excited about what the team might discover as the rover continues to explore new areas.