Perseverance Rover Discovers Potential Meteorite on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover has identified a unique rock formation in the Vernodden area of Mars, prompting scientists to suspect it may be a meteorite. The rock,named Phippsaksla,measures approximately 80 centimeters in size and exhibits an unusual shape and chemical composition compared to surrounding Martian rocks.
Analysis conducted using the rover’s Mastcam-Z camera, SuperCam laser, and spectrometer indicates Phippsaksla contains significantly high levels of iron and nickel. This composition suggests it is a metal meteorite – a rarer type than rocky meteorites – originating from the core of a large asteroid formed early in the solar system’s history. During the formation of these asteroids, heavier elements like iron would sink to the core, solidify, and potentially be ejected into space following collisions.
The Perseverance team initially noted Phippsaksla due to its distinct appearance; it is larger and taller than nearby rocks, with a smoother surface texture.While metal meteorites have been previously detected on Mars by earlier missions,this marks the first such discovery during Perseverance’s mission,which began landing in February 2021.
If confirmed as a meteorite, Phippsaksla could provide valuable insights into the history of impacts on Mars and the distribution of extraterrestrial material on its surface.Perseverance is equipped with a drilling tool and has the capability to collect samples from the site for further, more detailed analysis of its composition and origin. These samples will be stored within the rover, awaiting a future mission designed to retrieve them and return them to Earth for study.
perseverance’s ongoing mission includes exploring the remnants of an ancient Martian lake and searching for potential biosignatures. The rover has also set a record for the longest distance traveled by a planetary exploration vehicle on a planet other than Earth, and continues to gather detailed data about the Martian surface. The discovery of Phippsaksla adds to Perseverance’s contributions to understanding the geological history of Mars and the processes that have shaped the red planet over billions of years.
(Source: Science Alert report, November 18, 2025, as reported by suara.com)
