In a recent science campaign led by Brad Garczynski of Western Washington University, the team at Mount Washburn made a remarkable discovery of diverse textures and compositions in the rocks. These rocks were brought down from the crater rim and potentially beyond, providing a unique look at the geology of the area. Among the rocks, one stood out and was nicknamed “Atoko Point”.
Atoko Point is a speckled, light-toned boulder that is distinct in appearance from the surrounding darker rocks. Analysis using Perseverance’s SuperCam and Mastcam-Z instruments revealed that the rock is composed of minerals pyroxene and feldspar. Its size, shape, arrangement of mineral grains and crystals, and potentially its chemical composition make Atoko Point unlike any other rocks in the area.
The scientists on Perseverance’s team have speculated about the origins of Atoko Point, suggesting that the minerals may have been produced in a subsurface body of magma on the crater rim and exposed now. Alternatively, they consider it possible that the boulder was created far away and transported to Jezero by Martian waters long ago. However it formed, they believe that Atoko Point is just one of many unique rocks they will encounter on their mission.
After leaving Mount Washburn, Perseverance traveled north to investigate Tuff Cliff before making a longer journey to Bright Angel. The rover is currently analyzing a rocky outcrop to determine if a rock core sample should be collected as part of its mission objectives, which include studying astrobiology, characterizing Mars’ geology and climate history, and preparing for future human exploration of the planet.
