Perseverance Finds Ancient Delta-Lake System, Flood Deposits in Martian Jezero Crater

 

Kailee Fino

Mr. Ippolito

10/10/21

Chemistry 9

News Staff. “Perseverance Finds Ancient Delta-Lake System, Flood Deposits in Martian Jezero Crater.” Sci News, Sci News, 8 Oct. 2021, http://www.sci-news.com/space/lake-jezero-10151.html

It seems like every year new evidence surfaces regarding water on mars. Another clue revealing a wetter, more habitable environment that may have existed in the Red Planet’s past. One that could have even supported life. This year is no exception to this trend. In fact, recently the Perseverance rover, which was launched during the 2020 mars mission revealed that the Jezero Crater on mars may have contained sediment deposits from a river delta, a finding revealed by the existence of sedimentary fan structures observed using rovers and orbiting satellites. However, using technology like the Mastcam-Z cameras and Remote Micro-Imager onboard Perseverance, more information was revealed about the area, called the oh-so sci-fi sounding Delta Scarp. The Scarp, according to researchers on Perseverance’s team, “contains the remnants of a river delta that formed where a 193-km (120-mile) long ancient river and a 34-km (21-mile) wide lake join” and a “ a prominent hill, which they called Kodiak. The hill, however, was however was shown to have distinctive geological features, such as rock beds with horizontal layers of sediment, a feature that confirms the existence of a lake in that area.  Moreover, large boulders near the top of the delta have also contributed to the idea that this river delta had not only been existent, but subject to extreme floods, revealing a very dynamic water cycle. These factors contribute greatly to why researchers are very eager to bring samples of these rocks home to earth.  They, according to these researchers, can researchers can help us pinpoint how, when, and why this crater transitioned from a wet, possibly vivacious exosphere to a desolate, lifeless landscape.  In the words of Professor Sanjeev Gupta at Imperial College London, “A better understanding of Jezero crater’s delta is a key to understanding the change in hydrology for the area, and it could potentially provide valuable insights into why the entire planet dried out,” Professor Gupta said.

            This article, unlike many I havei have read for current events, blew events blew my mind. It, it was both well written, and informative, giving the reader everything needed to understand and conceptualize the subject. It was really interesting, and provided ample direct sources. There was legitimate, quotation-based information cited from many sources! It explained the discovery in a comprehensive, easy to understand manner, explaining any complex or foreign terms. 

As for the relevance of the topic, the discovery of what appears to be a lake on mars is a game-changer for scientific research. Evidence like the Jezero Crater Lake contributes contribute massively to our understanding of the biospheres of the extraterrestrial bodies in our on our solar system! If there was water on mars, then there may have been life, too! If there was life, thenthan we aren’t alone in the universe - an idea that is completely relevant to humanity and society. After all, the implications of the existence of extraterrestrial life are immeasurable. 

The article, however, while being one of the best I have read for Current Events did have some flaws. It included ample imagery, but the imagery wasn’t very explanatory. When looking at the images, I often found myself asking “what am I looking at?” However , even this small problem was solved by the inclusion of detailed captions below each image images.  

 This article was very interesting, and altogether entirely informative. The fact that as more evidence like this new discovery surfaces, the theory that there may have been water, and therefore life becomes entirely more plausible makes the Jezero Crater Lake all the more exciting and enticing. I found myself wondering, after reading the article, if science is on the cusp of discovering life, whether extinct or currently alive, in our solar system; a truly exciting concept.