NASA’s Perseverance rover has potentially identified a rare cosmic visitor on Mars—a shiny, metallic rock that might be a meteorite originating from an ancient asteroid. This discovery, made after four years on the planet’s surface, has excited scientists worldwide.

The rock, dubbed “Phippsaksla,” stands out amid the flat, broken terrain near Jezero Crater. Recent laser analysis using the rover’s SuperCam instrument revealed unusually high levels of iron and nickel, elements typical of meteorites formed deep within asteroids. According to NASA, this makes Phippsaksla a prime candidate for a Martian meteorite.

Experts note that while previous missions, including Curiosity and Opportunity, found metallic meteorites on Mars, Perseverance had not yet encountered one. If confirmed, this find will align it with other rovers that have expanded our understanding of extraterrestrial rocks and their interactions with Mars’ surface.

Scientists continue to analyze Phippsaksla to confirm its origin. Should it prove to be a meteorite, it will mark a significant milestone for Perseverance and deepen our insight into the history of cosmic debris on Mars. This discovery highlights that even after billions of miles traveled, the Red Planet still holds unexpected secrets.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.