Study determines original orientations of rocks drilled on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover, exploring the ancient lakebed of Jezero Crater on Mars, has collected 20 rock core samples out of a total of 43 planned. A team from MIT has now determined the original orientation of these samples, a key step in understanding Mars' geological and magnetic history.

The study, published in the journal Earth and Space Science, used engineering data from the rover, such as its position and drill orientation, to estimate the original alignment of the bedrock before it was extracted. This is the first time scientists have determined the orientation of rocks on another planet, providing a foundation for future research into Mars' past.

Elias Mansbach, a graduate student at MIT, explained that knowing the orientation of the rocks can reveal information about ancient magnetic fields, water flow, wind direction, and tectonic activity. Benjamin Weiss, professor of planetary sciences at MIT, added that this method could open up numerous scientific investigations into Mars' evolution.

The Perseverance rover, nicknamed 'Percy,' is exploring the floor of Jezero Crater, which contains layers of igneous and sedimentary rocks. Scientists believe Mars may have once been warm and wet, potentially harboring life. Understanding the planet's magnetic field and its disappearance could explain how Mars transitioned from a habitable world to the cold, dry planet it is today.

Weiss and Mansbach worked with colleagues at MIT and other institutions to develop a method for estimating the orientation of each rock sample. Their approach involves measuring three angles—hade, azimuth, and roll—that describe the rock's position in space. This technique can be applied to future samples as the rover continues its mission, helping to reconstruct the planet's magnetic history and geological processes.