NASA’s Perseverance rover has transmitted one of the sharpest-ever images of Mars, revealing a crisp sky, distant hills, intricate sand ripples, and enigmatic rocks of unknown origin. Captured on May 26 in the ‘Falbreen’ region using the Mastcam-Z instrument, the 96-frame mosaic showcases a geological boundary between distinct rock units and hills approximately 65 kilometers away.
Enhanced color versions display a deceptively blue, remarkably clear Martian sky—contrasting with the reddish hues seen in natural color. A striking feature is a large “floating rock” perched atop a crescent-shaped dark sand ripple (right of frame, 4.4 meters from the rover). Geologists speculate this rock formed elsewhere and was transported by landslides, water, or wind.
Notably, a bright white patch (lower left) marks Perseverance’s 43rd rock-drilling site since its February 2021 landing. The May 22 abrasion operation sampled potentially ancient terrain—possibly older than Jezero Crater itself. Mid-mosaic, a clear boundary separates light-toned, olivine-rich rocks near the rover from darker, potentially older clay-rich formations in the distance.
“Panoramas like Falbreen offer just a preview of what we’ll soon witness firsthand,” remarked acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy.
© Copyright ANSA