MIT Study Reveals Original Orientations of Martian Rocks

The groundbreaking research by MIT geologists using NASA's Perseverance rover data offers new insights into Mars' geological history.

MIT geologists have determined the original orientations of rocks collected by NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars, marking a first in planetary science.
The study's findings could provide clues to the conditions under which the rocks formed, offering insights into Mars' past environments.
The Perseverance rover has filled 20 of its 43 tubes with cores of Martian bedrock since landing in 2021, with plans to return these samples to Earth for analysis.
The orientation of rocks can reveal information about Mars' ancient magnetic field, water and lava flow, wind directions, and tectonic processes.
The research, supported by NASA and the Mars 2020 Participating Scientist program, paves the way for future studies of Mars' oldest rocks outside the Jezero Crater.