The ancient lake system in the Jerezo Crater of Mars could hold clues to early life on the planet. New data suggests that the now dry water body had aqueous activity during 2 different time periods. This information makes Jerezo a prime candidate for NASA’s 2020 Mars rover landing site
A study by Tim Goudge from Brown University indicates that the Jerezo Crater witnessed 2 separate water-related activities. In the first process, soil alteration took place and minerals were formed in the region surrounding the crater (called a watershed area). And in another distinct time period, a second event occurred during which the minerals were carried into the lake by flowing water.
The water shed event resulted in the accumulation of minerals and also possibly, ancient life in the lake. Goudge’s data now suggests that the lake must have been filled with fresh water of a neutral pH level. This evidence lends support to the theory that the paleolake may have housed life earlier. In fact, in May last year, Goudge and his colleagues suggested the Jezero crater as a landing site for NASA’s Mars 2020 rover, and it was indeed selected as one of the prime candidates for the same.
The ancient lake was first identified in 2005 by Caleb Fassett, a former student at the Brown University. For his study, Goudge combined data from NASA’s CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars) and CTX (Context Camera) which are onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, to create a geological history of water flow on the red planet’s surface. The new information will definitely help Jerezo’s case.
The ancient Martian lake system in Jezero is located near the red planet’s equator and is believed to have dried out about around 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago. Goudge continues to feel that the crater is a good candidate to become NASA’s Mars 2020 rover landing site, and its exploration will yield interesting information.