Why Scientists Are Intrigued by Air in NASA’s Mars Sample Tubes

Tucked away with each rock and soil sample collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover is a potential boon for atmospheric scientists.

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover is collecting samples on Mars, including rock cores and atmospheric gases, to be eventually returned to Earth. These samples may provide critical insights into the Martian atmosphere and its evolution, possibly revealing the presence of microbial life billions of years ago. The gas samples, in particular, could offer valuable data on trace gases and the planet’s ancient climate, drawing parallels with Earth’s own atmospheric history and aiding future manned missions to Mars.