The NASA "Perseverance" rover has detected spectral signatures of corundum—the mineral responsible for the formation of rubies and sapphires on Earth—for the first time on Mars. These traces were found within the rock formations located along the rim of the Jezero Crater. Scientists are now working to understand the specific environmental conditions on Mars that allowed this mineral to form, as they differ significantly from terrestrial geological processes.

The NASA spacecraft landed in the Jezero Crater in February 2021. This location was specifically selected due to the evidence of past water activity, raising hopes of finding signs of ancient microbial life. The discovery of corundum suggests that the geological history of the crater is more complex than previously thought, involving high-temperature or high-pressure events that led to the crystallization of such hard minerals.

To analyze the composition of Martian rocks, the rover utilizes the "SuperCam" instrument. It fires a laser beam at rock surfaces, vaporizing a tiny amount of material to create plasma. The light emitted by this plasma is then analyzed and compared with known mineral spectra. This non-contact method allows researchers to identify chemical elements and mineral structures from a distance, providing high-precision data from the Martian surface.

A team of scientists from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, led by Ann Ollila, examined bright inclusions in three specific rock samples: Hampden_River, Coffee_Cove, and Smiths_Harbour. While it was initially assumed that these features consisted mainly of plagioclase, the analysis revealed clear signs of trivalent chromium. This signature definitively indicates the presence of corundum, marking a significant milestone in Martian mineralogy.