NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2021, just discovered a remarkable black-and-white striped rock, called the “zebra rock.” This remarkable find sticks out in the pebbly Martian landscape, near the rim of the Jezero Crater, a region thought to have important evidence about ancient life on Mars. Scientists expected fascinating discoveries, but the zebra rock’s striking stripes came as a surprise.
Perseverance acquired low-resolution photos of the item as it slowly ascended the crater’s steep sides. Initially, Earth engineers called the object “Freya Castle” after a Grand Canyon summit. Later, high-resolution photographs revealed the rock’s distinctive zebra-like pattern, distinguishing it from any other rock formations previously seen on Mars.
While the origins of this 20-centimeter rock remain unknown, NASA believes it was generated through igneous or metamorphic processes and may have rolled down from another area. The “zebra rock” joins a growing number of amazing discoveries made by Perseverance, including indications of liquid water and another fascinating rock discovered in July, known as “Cheyava Falls,” which revealed chemical marks that could suggest past life.
As scientists continue to look for more hints about life on Mars, the zebra rock adds to the rover’s fascinating finds.
