Written by Henry Manelski, PH.D. Student at Purdue University
The Perseverance team is always looking for creative means to use the tools we have on Mars to maximize the science that we do. On the rover’s arm is the Sherloc instrumentwhich specializes in the detection of organic compounds and is crucial in our search for signs of past microbial life. But finding these organic matter is not easy. The highest surface of most discoveries of persistence of rocks on Mars was exposed to ultraviolet sun rays and long -term oxidative potential of the atmosphere, which both have the potential to decompose organic compounds. For this reason, obtaining Sherloc measures from a “fresh” rocky side is ideal. Last week, the rover was a rocher rich in serpentin aptly named “Green Gardens”, “ resulting in a new bunch of drilling residues. To prepare this material for the Sherloc instrument, which requires a fluid area to obtain a measure, the scientific team did something for the first time on Mars: we have smoosh!
Using the contact sensor of our sampling system, designed to indicate when our drill touches a rock while it is preparing to take a nucleus, a pressedrance in the pile of residues, by compacting it in a flat and stable patch to sherloc to investigate. This unorthodox approach worked perfectly! Sherloc spectral scanning resulting from these fresh residues – which include serpentine, a mineral of key astrobiological interest – was a success. These flattened drilling residues are an excellent example of the way in which a somewhat ready to use (or outside the world!) Thoughts helps us to maximize science on Mars. With this success behind us, the rover rolls towards the west to the heart of “Witch Hazel Hill”, “ Where more ancient rocks – and who knows what surprises – expect!