NASA Perseverance Mars Rover lands in Jezero Crater to search for ancient life

After 187 days floating through space, NASA’s new rover has touched down on the Red Planet and sent back two colour pictures.

NASA’s Perseverance has sent back colour images from Mars.

NASA’s Perseverance rover has sent back colour photos from Mars.

The rover successfully landed yesterday after it was launched from Earth on July 30 last year.

On Friday morning it entered the atmosphere of Mars and touched down on its surface, with word of its success reaching Earth just before 8am AEDT.

It beamed back its first images a short time later.

Hello, world. My first look at my forever home. #CountdownToMarspic.twitter.com/dkM9jE9I6X

— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 18, 2021

First images beamed back to Earth from Mars via the Perseverance rover. Picture: NASA

NASA crew celebrate upon confirmation the rover has touched down on Mars.

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On Saturday, NASA tweeted out two colour photos that had been captured by Perseverance.

An open horizon, with so much to explore. Can’t wait to get going. #CountdownToMarspic.twitter.com/hAaxeVGs04

— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 19, 2021

I love rocks. Look at these right next to my wheel. Are they volcanic or sedimentary? What story do they tell? Can’t wait to find out.#CountdownToMarshttps://t.co/7w3rbvbyoLpic.twitter.com/H3q1M0YJAd

— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 19, 2021

The rover will explore Mars for signs of ancient life on the planet, collecting rock and soil samples to potentially bring back to Earth.

The rover is also carrying a helicopter to help scout around the planet and plot the best paths for the rover to take.

When it’s used it will be the first powered flight on Mars.

A visualisation of the Mars rover descending.

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It’s hoped the rover could pave the way for humans to reach Mars, which NASA plans to do in the 2030s.

NASA landed the rover in the Jezero Crater, which spans a 45 kilometre diameter and scientists believe was once home to an ancient river delta, that may have played host to ancient microbial life.

A visualisation of the rover descending. Picture: NASA

Previous missions revealed the crater contains clay, which requires water to form.

The rocks in the Jezero Crater could be as old as 3.6 billion years, and it’s hoped they’ll answer questions about the history Mars.