NASA’s Perseverance Rover Explores Marker Band Valley
Pasadena, Calif.– NASA’s Perseverance rover has been exploring an intriguing region of Jezero Crater called Marker Band Valley since late January 2023. The valley is named for a distinctive geological feature that runs along its floor, and it is thought to have formed by the flow of water billions of years ago.
Perseverance has been using its onboard instruments to study the rocks and sediments in Marker Band Valley in order to learn more about the history of Jezero Crater and the potential for past life on Mars. The rover has also been collecting samples of rock and sediment that will be returned to Earth for further analysis.
Sols 4447–4449: Looking Back at the Marker Band Valley
On Sols 4447–4449 (Feb. 7–9, 2023), Perseverance took a break from its exploration of Marker Band Valley to look back at the valley from a distance. The rover climbed to the top of a nearby ridge and used its Mastcam-Z camera to take a series of panoramic images.
These images provide a stunning view of Marker Band Valley and its surroundings. The valley is about 2 kilometers wide and 4 kilometers long, and it is surrounded by steep cliffs. The floor of the valley is covered in a layer of sediment that is thought to have been deposited by a river that flowed through the valley billions of years ago.
The images taken by Perseverance also show a number of interesting geological features in Marker Band Valley. These features include:
- A large crater on the floor of the valley. This crater is about 1 kilometer in diameter, and it is thought to have been formed by the impact of a meteorite or comet.
- A series of channels that run along the floor of the valley. These channels are thought to have been formed by the flow of water, and they provide evidence that the valley was once a much wetter place than it is today.
- A number of small hills and ridges in the valley. These hills and ridges are thought to be made of rock that was deposited by the river that flowed through the valley.
The images taken by Perseverance provide a valuable record of the geology of Marker Band Valley. These images will help scientists to better understand the history of Jezero Crater and the potential for past life on Mars.
Next Up for Perseverance
Perseverance is now continuing its exploration of Marker Band Valley. The rover is currently driving towards a region of the valley that is thought to contain a number of interesting geological features. Perseverance is expected to reach this region in the coming weeks.
Sols 4447–4449: Looking Back at the Marker Band Valley
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