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Cheyava Falls rock

Cheyava Falls is a rock discovered on Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover during its exploration of the Jezero Crater. This rock, named after a Grand Canyon waterfall, has drawn significant attention due to its potential as an indicator of ancient life on Mars. The rover's instruments detected organic compounds within the rock, which are essential for all known life.[1][2] According to NASA, Cheyava Falls "possesses qualities that fit the definition of a possible indicator of ancient life".[3][1]

"Cheyava Falls" is characterized by large white calcium sulfate veins and bands of reddish material, indicative of hematite, a mineral that gives Mars its rusty color. The veins are "filled with millimeter-size crystals of olivine".[1] The rock features millimeter-sized off-white splotches surrounded by black material, resembling "leopard spots." These spots contain iron and phosphate, elements often associated with microbial life.[1][3] According to a seven-step scale called Confidence of Life Detection (CoLD) used by NASA astrobiologists, the rock is on Step One, "Detect possible signal".[1]

The rock's composition suggests it was once exposed to water. However, there are alternative, non-biological explanations for its features. The rover has analyzed the rock using various instruments but its team concludes that a definitive understanding will require returning the sample to Earth for more in-depth study.[3]

The "arrowhead-shaped rock" was found at the northern edge of Neretva Vallis area,[4] on July 18, 2024,[5] and is 1 meter by 0.6 meters.[1] On July 21, Perseverance took a sample of the rock that became its 22nd core sample that can be delivered to Earth by a future mission.[1] The rover made a "selfie" with a rock on July 23.[6]

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  • Perseverance's selfie with Cheyava Falls[6]
    Perseverance's selfie with Cheyava Falls[6]
  • Perseverance's Mastcam-Z views the "Cheyava Falls" workspace. On the left, a black hole is visible that appeared after sample collection.[7]
    Perseverance's Mastcam-Z views the "Cheyava Falls" workspace. On the left, a black hole is visible that appeared after sample collection.[7]
  • 360-degree view of a region on Mars called "Bright Angel", where an ancient river flowed billions of years ago. Cheyava Falls is slightly right of center, about 361 feet (110 meters) from the rover.[8]
    360-degree view of a region on Mars called "Bright Angel", where an ancient river flowed billions of years ago. Cheyava Falls is slightly right of center, about 361 feet (110 meters) from the rover.[8]
  • Mastcam-Z Views 'Leopard Spots' in Perseverance's Drill Bit[9]
    Mastcam-Z Views 'Leopard Spots' in Perseverance's Drill Bit[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "NASA's Perseverance Rover Scientists Find Intriguing Mars Rock". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 31 July 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Perseverance Finds a Rock With 'Leopard Spots'". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 31 July 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c Koren, Marina (26 July 2024). "We Might Get Thrilling News About Aliens … in 2040". The Atlantic. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  4. ^ Wizevich, Eli. "Mars Rover Finds Three Possible Signs of Ancient Life on a Single Rock". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  5. ^ Strickland, Ashley (26 July 2024). "NASA's Perseverance rover may have just found what it was looking for on Mars". CNN. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Perseverance's Selfie With 'Cheyava Falls'". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 25 August 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Mastcam-Z Views the 'Cheyava Falls' Workspace". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 25 August 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ "Perseverance Captures 'Bright Angel' in 360 Degrees". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 25 August 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ "Mastcam-Z Views 'Leopard Spots' in Perseverance's Drill Bit". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 25 August 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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