NASA’s Perseverance rover discovered unusual bleached rocks in Mars’ Jezero Crater that indicate the planet once had a warm, wet climate. Purdue University researchers analyzed the rock fragments and found they contain kaolinite, a mineral that forms on Earth after millions of years of rainfall. “Probably some of the most important outcrops we’ve seen,” said Briony Horgan, professor of planetary science at Purdue University. “We think [they] could be evidence of an ancient warmer and wetter climate where there was rain falling for millions of years.” The findings support theories that Mars had moisture and heat billions of years ago, conditions that could have supported life. “When we think about the possibility of these rocks on Mars representing a rainfall-driven environment, that is a really incredible, habitable place where life could have thrived if it were ever on Mars,” Horgan said. (Story URL)
