Perseverance Rover Unearths a Mysterious Celestial Donut on Mars

The rock, with a hole in its center, is surrounded by similar-hued rocks, indicating a potential common origin.

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The SETI Institute suggests that it could be a large meteorite accompanied by smaller pieces, expanding the possibilities beyond Mars.

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Shortly after its touchdown in February 2021, Perseverance identified another potential meteorite.

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The Curiosity Rover has also discovered several space rocks on Mars since its arrival in 2012, including the metallic meteorite called "Cacao."

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In 2014, NASA's Opportunity rover observed a stone resembling a jelly donut with a white exterior and red interior.

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Perseverance is currently exploring the Jezero Crater, once home to a lake and river delta billions of years ago.

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Perseverance aims to characterize the ancient environment and search for signs of past life, assisted by the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.

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Perseverance's discoveries, including evidence of past organic matter and signs of a flowing river, have prompted scientists to reconsider their understanding of Mars' past environment.

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