In early November 2025, the Perseverance rover, now in its fifth year on Mars, recorded an unusual object. Using the Mastcam-Z camera mounted on its mast, the rover spotted a large rock distinct from the surrounding terrain. Measuring nearly 81 centimeters in length, the discovery immediately caught the attention of experts.
To investigate further, Perseverance employed the SuperCam laser spectrometer. Analysis revealed that the object is composed mainly of iron and nickel. This composition is typical for the cores of large asteroids, suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
Initial Scientific Findings and the Discovery’s Significance
If this hypothesis is confirmed, it will be the first meteorite found by Perseverance during its mission on Mars. The rock received the informal name “Финпсаксла” (Phippsaksla) after a region in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway. The site of discovery was also named “Вернодден” (Vernodden), after another Svalbard location.
Finds like this are crucial for understanding processes on Mars and throughout the Solar System. Iron-nickel meteorites can reveal the composition of asteroids and shed light on how they interact with planetary atmospheres and surfaces.
The History of Meteorites on Mars
While this is Perseverance’s first such discovery, other rovers have already encountered meteorites on the Red Planet. Curiosity, which has been operating on Mars since 2012, has found several iron-nickel objects in the Gale Crater area and on the slopes of Mount Sharp. Notable finds include the ‘Lebanon’ meteorite, about one meter long, discovered in 2014, as well as a rock nicknamed ‘Cacao,’ found in 2023.
Each new discovery allows scientists to expand their understanding of Mars’ geological history and its interactions with cosmic bodies. Analyzing meteorite composition helps refine models of planet and asteroid formation, and provides insight into how often such objects strike the Martian surface.
Technology and Research Methods
Perseverance is equipped with advanced tools for remote rock analysis. The Mastcam-Z camera delivers high-resolution imagery, capturing even small surface details. The SuperCam laser spectrometer can determine the chemical composition of objects from a distance, which is especially important for operating on another planet.
These technologies enable rapid response to unusual finds and allow for preliminary analysis without having to move the rover over large distances. This significantly increases the efficiency of scientific research and speeds up the acquisition of new data.
Future Research Prospects
In the coming months, the mission team plans to continue studying the discovered object. Additional measurements and imaging from various angles may be conducted. If it is confirmed that the rock is indeed a meteorite, it will be a significant event for planetary science as a whole.
Scientists hope that such discoveries will help to better understand the processes taking place on Mars, as well as provide new insights into the origin and evolution of asteroids in the Solar System. Each new meteorite is like a window into the past, offering a glimpse into the history of planetary bodies.
If you didn’t know, Perseverance is NASA’s sixth rover sent to the Red Planet. It was launched in July 2020 and landed in Jezero Crater in February 2021. Its main mission is to search for signs of ancient life and collect soil samples to be brought back to Earth. Perseverance is equipped with a unique set of scientific instruments, including high-resolution cameras, spectrometers, and drilling equipment. Over the years, the rover has already transmitted thousands of images to Earth and conducted dozens of experiments. Additionally, the Ingenuity mini-helicopter on board became the first aircraft to make a controlled flight on another planet. The Perseverance mission is considered one of the most ambitious in the history of Mars exploration and continues to deliver new scientific discoveries.
