NASA’s Perseverance rover encountered a new mystery on Mars.

After surveying the area called the “Bright Angel” and sampling its unique “leopard spots,” the rover journeyed south along the Neretva Vallis and discovered a remarkable area known as the “Snake Streams.” Here Perseverance encountered vibrant red rocks, an unexpected find that deepened the rover’s crew’s intrigue.

Perseverance used an abrasive tool on a red rock outcrop called “Wallace Butte” in the Serpentine Rapids to create a 5cm-diameter patch that revealed a striking range of colours: white, black and a distinctive dull green.

This green color was particularly fascinating; It revealed dark nuclei surrounded by light green rims. On Earth, similar green spots are frequently observed in ancient “red deposits” and are typically formed by chemical reactions in which iron-bearing water percolates through rock layers, reducing oxidized iron to a green-colored state.

This color change can occur through natural reactions, and on Earth sometimes microbes or decaying organic matter are also involved.

While green spots on Earth may indicate biological or chemical processes, their origin on Mars is unknown. SHERLOC and PIXL instruments, designed for detailed compositional analysis of the rover, could not be placed precisely on the green dots due to terrain limitations.

As a result, the exact composition of the green material remains a mystery, sparking curiosity among scientists eager to unravel the mysteries of Mars.

As Perseverance continues its climb up the sheer rim of Jezero Crater, the Science Team is excitedly anticipating what other surprises may lie ahead.

Two years into its mission, Perseverance has transformed scientific understanding of the geology of Mars, particularly the Jezero Crater, which is believed to contain traces of ancient water.