Rover’s Path Within Jezero Crater
NASA has made public an orbital map illustrating the travel route taken by the Perseverance Mars rover to reach a bedrock sequence that the mission’s science team has named the “Broom Point member.” The layered rock formation is believed to date back more than 3.9 billion years.
As scheduled, the robotic vehicle touched down on February 18, 2021, within the boundaries of Jezero Crater. Following landing, it conducted investigations in the western delta area of the crater as part of its planned surface operations.
Significance of the Bedrock Layers
The strata of the Broom Point member represent some of the oldest exposed rock units the rover has visited to date. Studying them is expected to improve understanding of the crater’s early geological development and past aqueous conditions.
- Map shows route to the “Broom Point member”
- Layered bedrock likely exceeds 3.9 billion years in age
- Landing inside Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021
- Examination of the crater’s western delta
Documenting the rover’s movement highlights the mission’s gradual progress toward geologically significant targets on the Martian surface.