NASA的毅力号探测器穿越古老河流以到达科学目标

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover recently navigated through a dune field and an ancient river channel to reach its scientific target, "Bright Angel," in Jezero Crater. This route change not only shortened the estimated drive time but also led to the discovery of intriguing geologic features. The rover is currently in the later stages of its fourth science campaign, aiming to find evidence of carbonate and olivine deposits in the "Margin Unit" along the crater's rim. The rocky outcrops at Bright Angel may provide valuable insights into the history of Jezero.

The rover encountered challenges as it traversed the Neretva Vallis river channel, including larger and more numerous boulders that slowed its progress. However, by carefully navigating the terrain and utilizing the AutoNav system, the team successfully reached Mount Washburn, where they made an exciting discovery of diverse rocks, including a unique boulder named "Atoko Point." Analysis suggests that the minerals in Atoko Point may have been produced in a subsurface body of magma or transported there by ancient Martian waters. The team is eager to further investigate these findings and has already moved on to analyze a rocky outcrop at "Tuff Cliff."

Perseverance's exploration continues as it assesses whether a rock core sample should be collected from the area. These recent developments highlight the rover's ongoing mission to unravel the mysteries of Mars' geology and history.