One of the first goals of NASA's 2020 perseverance mission is to collect various rock samples for eventual return to earth. The top priority rocks are those that make up the well preserved Delta on the west side of jezro crater. The delta is one of the key features attracting researchers to the landing site in search of ancient Martian life Careful examination of the rocks of the delta is essential to understand its sedimentary environment and determine whether this ancient environment may be habitable
Since landing in jezro crater last year, the perseverance rover has been investigating and drilling rocks at the bottom of the crater to add to the sample library. But the rover hasn't touched the delta rocks - until now. After a "fast crossing" to the Delta, the perseverance finally reached the front of the delta.
Last week, the rover stopped at a place called enchanted lake, where the team hopes perseverance will sample delta rocks for the first time. However, since the rover can only collect a limited number of samples, the team must carefully weigh all options, keep in mind the samples already taken, and try to predict what may be encountered in the rest of the crossing. Although the team is eager to obtain samples of delta rocks, it must be cautious.
Therefore, the first action project of the perseverance team in enchanted lake is to use the rover's remote scientific instrument to check the rocks there to determine whether they meet the required sampling standards. Compared with other rocks the team has studied so far in jezro crater, the rocks in this place show many different and interesting features. However, after a thorough evaluation, the research team decided to abandon sampling at this site. It was a difficult decision, but they were optimistic about future opportunities. The data collected at enchanted lake will be used to establish a background for future surveys of the delta.
The rover is now heading east to a place called hawksbill gap, another promising place to sample the delta. As it crosses the delta front, perseverance will continue to collect data to help determine the contact characteristics between the crater bottom and the delta rocks, and then rise to the delta itself.