Categories: Science

NASA releases clearest view of Mars, blue rocks seen on landscape

NASA has released the clearest view of Mars to date, with blue rocks observed across the planet’s landscape.

The images were captured by the Perseverance rover as it explores the planet.

Dark blue, jagged rocks of volcanic basalt were found on top of the dried remains of an ancient lakebed, according to the Daily Mail.

10 FUN FACTS ABOUT MARS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE RED PLANET

NASA has released the clearest view of Mars to date, with blue rocks observed across the planet’s landscape. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA found the boulders on what has been dubbed “Mount Washburn,” a rocky field on the Jezero crater, where an ancient lake is believed to have been located billions of years ago.

The name “Mount Washburn” was given to the field of rocks in honor of a mountain in Yellowstone National Park.

SPACEX LAUNCHES MISSION TO SPACE STATION THAT WILL BRING BACK STRANDED NASA ASTRONAUTS NEXT YEAR

The rover came upon a white-striped rock within a field of blue boulders. (NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover)

The rover came upon a white-striped rock within the field of blue boulders. The Perseverance science team nicknamed the light-toned boulder with dark speckles “Atoko Point.”

While the blue rocks are primarily volcanic basalt, which is typical of Martian terrain, NASA concluded that “Atoko Point” is made of anorthosite-a silica-rich volcanic rock, which has never been documented on Mars.

The name “Mount Washburn” was given to the field of rocks in honor of a mountain in Yellowstone National Park. (NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

This rock type had been theorized to exist but never seen on the Martian landscape, according to Marca.

“Are there other rocks like this near the Jezero Crater rim? I’m on my way to find out,” the Perseverance rover’s X account said.

Share

Recent Posts

Amazon Prime settlement could put money back in your pocket

Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle allegations brought by the Federal Trade…

11 seconds ago

Under Armour data breach claims trigger alerts for millions of users

Sportswear and fitness brand Under Armour is investigating claims of a massive data breach after…

17 hours ago

Fox News AI Newsletter: Amazon cuts thousands of roles

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - Amazon to cut 16,000 roles as it looks to invest in…

20 hours ago

YouTube lets parents limit or block Shorts for teens

YouTube is rolling out new parental controls designed to give families more say over how…

23 hours ago

Humanoid robot makes architectural history by designing a building

What happens when artificial intelligence (AI) moves from painting portraits to designing homes? That question…

2 days ago

Thousands of iPhone apps expose data inside Apple App Store

Apple often promotes the App Store as a secure place to download apps. The company…

2 days ago