Perseverance Rover discovers corundum traces on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered traces of corundum in the Jezero Crater on Mars. Corundum is the fundamental mineral that forms rubies and sapphires on Earth. The discovery was made by analyzing three distinct rock samples—named ‘Hampden River’, ‘Coffee Cove’, and ‘Smiths Harbour’—using time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy, a laser-based method used to excite atoms and measure emitted light.

Researchers, led by geochemist Ann Ollila from Los Alamos National Laboratory, described the finding as ‘unexpected’ because corundum typically requires specific chemical environments, such as those enriched in aluminum and depleted in silicon, often associated with high temperatures or tectonic processes. The spectral signatures detected include chromium, which on Earth is responsible for the red and pink hues of rubies.

A leading theory suggests the mineral may have formed billions of years ago during the massive meteor impact that created the Jezero Crater. The extreme heat and pressure from the impact, potentially combined with subsequent hydrothermal processes, may have created the necessary conditions for corundum to develop. Scientists note that while this does not mean visible gemstones exist on the surface, it provides significant insight into the geological and chemical history of Mars.