Perseverance rover scratched a rock and found green patches

After a long wait, NASA’s Perseverance rover finally scratched a rock on Mars

It revealed an unusual green interior, which scientists speculate could be evidence of past biological activity or ancient water activity.

Perseverance touched down in Jezero Crater in February 2021 with a mission to search for signs of ancient life. On Saturday, July 30, 2023, it used its abrasion tool to scrape away the weathered surface of a rock called “Rochette.” Beneath the surface, the rover found a patch of green material.

Scientists are still analyzing the data, but they are excited about the possibilities. One possibility is that the green material could be a type of clay mineral. Clay minerals are often formed in the presence of water, which suggests that the rock may have formed in a wet environment.

Another possibility is that the green material could be a type of organic matter. Organic matter is the building block of life, so its presence would be a strong sign that life once existed on Mars. There is no definitive answer yet, and Perseverance will continue to investigate the green material to determine its composition.