In this episode, Perseverance finds lots of strange objects on the Martian surface, tastes
its first rock from the delta and seems to have collected what looks like a cat hair.
This video is part of a series, documenting the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter
every 3 months.
The rover has made significant progress through Hawksbill Gap, covering nearly 400 meters,
or a quarter mile, in a week. For the first time, the rover selected and analysed two
rock targets on its own, thanks to its autonomous software. Going forward, the team at NASA
plans to utilize this software more frequently, ensuring the rover doesn t miss anything interesting
along its path.
For over 4 months, Perseverance has had an unexpected traveling companion - a rock that
got stuck in its front left wheel. Covering more than 5.3 miles, or 8.5 kilometres together,
the rock has not caused any damage, but it appears it doesn t want to leave. While previous
rovers have also had rocks hitch a ride, Perseverance's companion seems to be setting Mars hitch-hiking
records.
On Sol 451 the rover looks towards the peak of the delta. The rocks in this area are of
particular interest to scientists. Perseverance is desperate to use its drill.
On Sol 452 the rover uses its rock abrasion tool to chip away at the surface level of
a rock. The rover then uses its Gaseous Dust Removal Tool - essentially a compressed nitrogen
can, which emits 4 short puffs to clear the cuttings and dust. After checking the tool
for any damage, the team order the rover to photograph the small hole.
As the environment on Mars can change the surface layer of rocks over time, the rock
abrasion tool is essential for helping geologists get a clear picture of what s hiding beneath
the surface. You can see the wall of dust surrounding the target, thanks to the dust
removal tool. While the fine-grained texture and pinkish colour suggest the presence of
hematite, the rock sank slightly upon abrasion, meaning it s not suitable for drilling. This
is very unfortunate, as fine-grained material at the delta is one of the best chances of
finding preserved microbial life.
Meanwhile, scientists on Earth pour over mission data all the way back from Sol 148 and create
this stunning animation. This was one of the windiest days the rover has encountered. It
captured hundreds of dust devils. The scientists estimate that the rover comes into direct
contact with 4 dust devils every single day, mainly around the Martian noon time.
This is great news for our little helicopter friend, as it means the winds can potentially
remove built up dust from its solar panels, preventing future low-power scares.
The helicopter celebrates with its 29th flight. Ingenuity is currently trying to catch up
with Perseverance.
This map shows the delta, as well as a few notable locations. The plan is for both machines
to head up a smooth channel to reach to the top of the delta. Perseverance is currently
in a very promising location.
At the delta front, the rover is getting up close and personal, capturing some extraordinary
images. This is by far the most exciting place Perseverance has investigated.
The rocks here look very alien, almost like what you d expect from another planet. We
ve been documenting the Mars rovers for many years, and we haven t seen rocks like these
before.
Look at the holes in this rock. Is it a product of the Martian wind eroding them over time?
Or was water involved in the process? We won t know for sure until we get these samples
back to Earth.
On Sol 466, the rover captures something spectacular. It s a rock that looks like a snake s head.
While the internet speculates on whether this was created by a lost society of Martian snakes,
it s not the most interesting thing in the image.
Look at this rock. It appears to be balancing on top of a larger rock.
If it is, it s unlikely it was transported there by the Martian wind. Could water have
been involved in the process? Or is it something else entirely? A well-aimed meteorite for
example.
Or, perhaps, it was placed there by the Martian snake people. (sarcasm)
In reality, it s hard to tell if this is a rock balancing, or just an extrusion of the
rock itself, sticking up behind the main rock.
As excitement grows around taking samples from the delta, the team at NASA turn their
attention to the bright material that Perseverance spotted back on Sol 411.
This view, from Sol 464, shows what appears to be a reflective piece of foil. This is
likely a piece of debris left over from the landing, but there s a problem.
The team confirms it s a piece of multi-layer insulation, likely from the skycrane, which
flew away from Perseverance s landing site after touchdown. However, the skycrane crash
landed 2 kilometres, or 1.2 miles, to the southeast of this location.
It s possible that the crash ejected some material into the sky, which then settled
in this location.
This image from Sol 0 shows the smoke plume that was generated as a result of the impact.
Such forces could have theoretically ejected the material high up into the air where it
was caught by the wind.
However, NASA believe the material was likely just caught in the Martian wind after settling
near the crash site. These 2 images, although taken from slightly different angles, show
that the piece of debris is moving as a result of the wind.
On Sol 472, the rover abrades another rock in preparation for its drill, again on fine
grained material. Unfortunately, the rock cracked and was pushed down into the surface,
making it unsuitable for a drill attempt.
While the team decide on which rocks to attempt next, Perseverance is ordered to take a highly
detailed panorama. This panorama contains 2.5 billion pixels and now holds the record
for the most detailed image taken on the surface of Mars, beating the Curiosity rovers record
of 1.8 billion pixels. It highlights the delta front, from which the team hope to collect
core samples.
On Sol 474, the team spots something in one of the images. They order Perseverance to
go and have a closer look. The object is also moving location, probably as a result of the
wind.
It appears to be a string like object, possibly yet another piece of spacecraft debris.
Upon closer inspection it s determined that the object is in fact spacecraft debris and
is a piece of dacron netting , based on the observed 2 by 2 millimetre mesh pattern. It
seems that this area is a natural resting point for windblown debris. The team at NASA
aren t worried that all this debris could pose a threat to the integrity of the samples,
or endanger the rover in any way, but these debris findings prompt them to think about
the impact of future landings, to better contain the debris field.
On Sol 477, the rover comes across a rock which is nicknamed Betty s rock . This rock
would provide an incredible core sample, with the layers telling the story of the area s
ancient past.
Unfortunately, however, the jagged layers and awkward shape means the rover can t manoeuvre
its arm safely near the rock. Perseverance takes lots of close-up images but will have
to keep persevering to get its first core sample from the delta.
A few sols later, the team identify a suitable area for the use of the rover s drill. This
rock, named skinners ridge , allows Perseverance to get its first core sample from the delta,
something that will be of incredible value when the sample return mission brings it back
to Earth.
The core measures 6.7 centimetres, or 2.6 inches long, making it the mission's longest
core so far. The rock was softer than others previously cored, requiring only low levels
of percussion, but wasn t as fined grained as the earlier delta rocks that were abraded
then found unsuitable for drilling.
After a successful coring campaign, a routine check on the rovers drill shows something
odd. Images reveal two small pieces of debris - one on the coring bit in the bit carousel,
and a hairline object on the drill chuck.
The team at NASA investigate the issue, taking multiple images from multiple angles. After
moving the drill and testing that everything still works, they are confident to proceed
with the mission. It s likely the hair-like object is a small piece of debris from the
crash landing, as we ve seen so much of it in this area. Luckily, it poses no threat
for now.
On Sol 518, the rover sits at a location known as Wildcat Ridge and is gearing up to collect
another core sample. Skinner Ridge , the site of the rovers first sample from the delta,
can also be seen from here. The team at NASA now want the rover to head to a location called
enchanted lake .
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