NASA’s Perseverance Rover Reaches Jezero Crater Rim to Study Mars’ Oldest Rocks

The rover begins a new campaign to investigate ancient Martian geology and potential past habitable environments.

Perseverance has completed a challenging 1,640-foot ascent to the top of Jezero Crater, marking a new phase of its mission on Mars.
The rover will study rocks potentially older than 4 billion years, offering insights into the early history of Mars and the solar system.
Scientists are particularly interested in quartz formations found near the crater rim, which may indicate ancient hot spring environments that could have supported life.
Upcoming exploration at Witch Hazel Hill will focus on layered rock outcrops that reveal Mars' geological history and regions less altered by the impact that formed Jezero Crater.
The mission aims to collect samples for eventual return to Earth, which could help unravel the evolution of rocky planets like Mars and Earth.