This image taken by NASA's Perseverance rover on Sept. 7, 2021, PDT (Sept. 8, EDT), shows two holes where the rover's drill obtained chalk-size samples from rock nicknamed "Rochette."
Perseverance takes a photo of one of a sample tube on the Martian terrain.
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 6 at Robine. The image shows a rock with a drillhole and abrasion.

Mars Rock Samples

Marvel over NASA’s Mars rock collection. Each of these rock samples was selected by the Perseverance Mars rover team with plans to return them to scientific labs on Earth for in-depth study.

Learn About the Mars 2020 Mission

Samples Collected

25 of 38

Witness Tubes

3 of 5

Zoom in on the Perseverance rover's Martian rock sample collection with this unique view.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Of the 43 tubes Perseverance brought to Mars, 38 are for collecting samples, and five are "witness tubes" designed to document the cleanliness of its sampling system throughout the mission. Three witness tubes have been sealed: on Sol 160 (June 22, 2021), Sol 499 (July 16, 2022), and Sol 586 (Oct. 14, 2022). The third witness tube, sealed at the "Amalik" sampling location, was placed in the rover's backup sample depot.

Roubion

Sample No. 1

Feature Name: Roubion
Sample Type: Atmospheric
Sol Sealed: 164
Date Sealed: Aug. 6, 2021
Rock Type: n/a
Sample Height: n/a
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 1 at Roubion.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the area in front of it using its onboard Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera A. This image was acquired on Aug. 6, 2021 (Sol 164) at the local mean solar time of 14:22:08.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Montdenier

Sample No. 2

Feature Name: Rochette
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 194
Date Sealed: Sept. 6, 2021
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 5.98 cm (2.35 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
This composite of two images shows the hole drilled by NASA's Perseverance rover during its second sample-collection attempt. at Montdenier.
This composite of two images shows the hole drilled by NASA's Perseverance rover during its second sample-collection attempt. at Montdenier.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Montagnac

Sample No. 3

Feature Name: Rochette
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 196
Date Sealed: Sept. 8, 2021
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 6.14 cm (2.42 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 3 at Montagnac.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Sept. 8, 2021 (Sol 196) at the local mean solar time of 16:08:20.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Salette

Sample No. 4

Feature Name: Brac
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 262
Date Sealed: Nov. 15, 2021
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 6.28 cm (2.47 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 4 at Salette.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Nov. 15, 2021 (Sol 262) at the local mean solar time of 15:59:22.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Coulettes

Sample No. 5

Feature Name: Brac
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 271
Date Sealed: Nov. 24, 2021
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 3.3 cm (1.30 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 5 at Coulettes.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Nov. 24, 2021 (Sol 271) at the local mean solar time of 16:05:40.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Robine

Sample No. 6

Feature Name: Issole
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 298
Date Sealed: Dec. 22, 2021
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 6.08 cm (2.39 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 6 at Robine. The image shows a rock with a drillhole and abrasion.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. This image was acquired on Dec. 21, 2021 (Sol 298) at the local mean solar time of 12:56:51.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Malay

Sample No. 7

Feature Name: Issole
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 337
Date Sealed: Jan. 31, 2022
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 3.07 cm (1.21 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 7 at Malay.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. This image was acquired on Jan. 30, 2022 (Sol 337) at the local mean solar time of 12:08:50.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Ha'ahóni(aka Hahonih)

Sample No. 8

Feature Name: Sid
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 371
Date Sealed: March 7, 2022
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 6.5 cm (2.56 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 8 at Ha'ahóni (aka "Hahonih"). This image shows the rock protruding out of the ground with an abrasion patch and a drill hole.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on March 7, 2022 (Sol 371) at the local mean solar time of 15:22:30.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Atsá(aka Atsah)

Sample No. 9

Feature Name: Sid
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 377
Date Sealed: March 13, 2022
Rock Type: Igneous
Sample Height: 6.0 cm (2.36 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover displaying the abrasion patch prior to collecting the rock sample 9 at Atsá (aka "Atsah").
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. This image was acquired on March 15, 2022 (Sol 379) at the local mean solar time of 10:00:45.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Swift Run

Sample No. 10

Feature Name: Skinner Ridge
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 490
Date Sealed: July 7, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 6.69 cm (2.63 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 10 at Swift Run.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on July 7, 2022 (Sol 490) at the local mean solar time of 16:52:35.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Skyland

Sample No. 11

Feature Name: Skinner Ridge
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 495
Date Sealed: July 12, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 5.85 cm (2.30 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 11 at Skyland. Sample 10 and 11 drill hole with an abrasion patch.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on July 12, 2022 (Sol 495) at the local mean solar time of 16:54:24.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Hazeltop

Sample No. 12

Feature Name: Wildcat Ridge
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 509
Date Sealed: July 27, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 5.97 cm (2.35 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 12 at Hazeltop. There is a drill hole and a nearby abrasion patch displayed in this photo.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on July 26, 2022 (Sol 509) at the local mean solar time of 16:17:10.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Bearwallow

Sample No. 13

Feature Name: Wildcat Ridge
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 516
Date Sealed: Aug. 3, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 6.24 cm (2.46 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 13 at Bearwallow. There are two drill holes and an abrasion patch in this photo.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Aug. 3, 2022 (Sol 516) at the local mean solar time of 16:00:07.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Shuyak

Sample No. 14

Feature Name: Amalik
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 575
Date Sealed: Oct. 2, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 5.55 cm (2.19 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 14 at Shuyak. Nearby the drill hole of the sample collection is an abrasion patch to the bottom right.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Oct. 2, 2022 (Sol 575) at the local mean solar time of 15:37:40.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mageik

Sample No. 15

Feature Name: Amalik
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 619
Date Sealed: Nov. 16, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 7.36 cm (2.90 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 15 at Mageik.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. This image was acquired on Oct. 9, 2022 (Sol 582) at the local mean solar time of 13:50:24.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Kukaklek

Sample No. 16

Feature Name: Hidden Harbor
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 631
Date Sealed: Nov. 29, 2022
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 4.97 cm (1.96 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 16 at Kukaklek.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. This image was acquired on Nov. 26, 2022 (Sol 628) at the local mean solar time of 13:30:23.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Atmo Mountain

Sample No. 17

Feature Name: Observation Mountain
Sample Type: Regolith
Sol Sealed: 634
Date Sealed: Dec. 2, 2022
Rock Type: Likely mixed sedimentary and igneous grains
Sample Height: 5.3 cm (2.09 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 17 at Atmo Mountain.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Dec. 2, 2022 (Sol 634) at the local mean solar time of 16:33:46.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Crosswind Lake

Sample No. 18

Feature Name: Observation Mountain
Sample Type: Regolith
Sol Sealed: 639
Date Sealed: Dec. 7, 2022
Rock Type: Likely mixed sedimentary and igneous grains
Sample Height: 5.3 cm (2.09 in)
Current Location: Sample Depot

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 18 at Crosswind Lake. This image shows both samples 17 and 18 drill holes nearby.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Dec. 7, 2022 (Sol 639) at the local mean solar time of 16:34:15.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Melyn

Sample No. 19

Feature Name: Berea
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 749
Date Sealed: March 30, 2023
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 6.04 cm (2.38 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 19 at Melyn.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the area in front of it using its onboard Front Right Hazard Avoidance Camera A. This image was acquired on March 31, 2023 (Sol 750) at the local mean solar time of 11:54:54.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Otis Peak

Sample No. 20

Feature Name: Emerald Lake
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 832
Date Sealed: June 23, 2023
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 5.77 cm (2.27 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 20 at Otis Peak. There is a smooth crevice to the right side of the drill hole.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on June 13, 2023 (Sol 822) at the local mean solar time of 16:12:00.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Pilot Mountain

Sample No. 21

Feature Name: Dream Lake
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 913
Date Sealed: Sept. 15, 2023
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 6 cm (2.36 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 21 at Pilot Mountain. There is a drill hole of where the sample was collected along with a few rocks surrounding the area.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Aug. 14, 2023 (Sol 882) at the local mean solar time of 15:13:58.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Pelican Point

Sample No. 22

Feature Name: Hans Amundsen Memorial Workspace
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 923
Date Sealed: Sept. 25, 2023
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 6.1 cm (2.40 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 22 at Pelican Point. There is a drill hole at the center of the image where the sample was collected.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Right Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Sept. 25, 2023 (Sol 923) at the local mean solar time of 15:40:26.

Lefroy Bay

Sample No. 23

Feature Name: Turquoise Bay
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 949
Date Sealed: Oct. 21, 2023
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 4.7 cm (1.85 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
Image taken was taken by the Mars Perseverance rover after collecting the rock sample 23 at Lefroy Bay. There is a drill hole in the center of the martian soil with an abrasion patch at the bottom left.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the area in front of it using its onboard Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera A. This image was acquired on Aug. 6, 2021 (Sol 164) at the local mean solar time of 14:22:08.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Comet Geyser

Sample No. 24

Feature Name: Bunsen Peak
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 1088
Date Sealed: March 12, 2024
Rock Type: Silica-cemented Carbonate
Sample Height: 5.78 cm (2.28 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Watch Video
This view shows a rock nicknamed "Bunsen Peak" where NASA's Perseverance Mars rover extracted its 21st rock core (left) and abraded a circular patch (right) to investigate the rock's composition.
This view shows a rock nicknamed "Bunsen Peak" where NASA's Perseverance Mars rover extracted its 21st rock core (left) and abraded a circular patch (right) to investigate the rock's composition.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Sapphire Canyon

Sample No. 25

Feature Name: Cheyava Falls
Sample Type: Rock Core
Sol Sealed: 1215
Date Sealed: July 21, 2024
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Sample Height: 6.2 cm (2.44 in)
Current Location: Perseverance Rover

Read Story
Image of a rock on Mars with a hole and patch next to each other of Mars Rock Sample 25.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the area in front of it using its onboard Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera A.

This image was acquired on July 22, 2024 (Sol 1216) at the local mean solar time of 12:54:40.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Sample No.
Date Sealed
Sol Sealed
Sample Name
Feature Name
Sampling Location
Current Location
Science Notes 
Sample Type
Sample Height
cm inch
Rock Type
1
Aug. 6, 2021
164
Roubion
Roubion
Polygon Valley
Sample Depot
Atmospheric
n/a           n/a
n/a
2
Sept. 6, 2021
194
Montdenier
Rochette
Artuby Ridge
Sample Depot
Rock Core
5.98         2.35
Igneous
3
Sept. 8, 2021
196
Montagnac
Rochette
Artuby Ridge
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.14         2.42
Igneous
4
Nov. 15, 2021
262
Salette
Brac
South Séítah
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.28         2.47
Igneous
5
Nov. 24, 2021
271
Coulettes
Brac
South Séítah
Sample Depot
Rock Core
3.30         1.30
Igneous
6
Dec. 22, 2021
298
Robine
Issole
South Séítah
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.08         2.39
Igneous
7
Jan. 31, 2022
337
Malay
Issole
South Séítah
Sample Depot
Rock Core
3.07         1.21
Igneous
8
March 7, 2022
371
Ha'ahóni (aka "Hahonih")
Sid
Octavia E. Butler Landing / Ch’ał outcrop
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.50         2.56
Igneous
9
March 13, 2022
377
Atsá (aka "Atsah")
Sid
Octavia E. Butler Landing / Ch’ał outcrop
Sample Depot
Rock Core
6.00         2.36
Igneous
10
July 7, 2022
490
Swift Run
Skinner Ridge
Delta Front
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.69         2.63
Sedimentary
11
July 12, 2022
495
Skyland
Skinner Ridge
Delta Front
Sample Depot
Rock Core
5.85         2.30
Sedimentary
12
July 27, 2022
509
Hazeltop
Wildcat Ridge
Delta Front
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
5.97         2.35
Sedimentary
13
Aug. 3, 2022
516
Bearwallow
Wildcat Ridge
Delta Front
Sample Depot
Rock Core
6.24         2.46
Sedimentary
14
Oct. 2, 2022
575
Shuyak
Amalik
Delta Front
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
5.55         2.19
Sedimentary
15
Nov. 16, 2022
619
Mageik
Amalik
Delta Front
Sample Depot
Rock Core
7.36         2.90
Sedimentary
16
Nov. 29, 2022
631
Kukaklek
Hidden Harbor
Delta Front
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
4.97         1.96
Sedimentary
17
Dec. 2, 2022
634
Atmo Mountain
Observation Mountain
Delta Front
Perseverance Rover
Regolith
5.30         2.09
Likely mixed sedimentary and igneous grains
18
Dec. 7, 2022
639
Crosswind Lake
Observation Mountain
Delta Front
Sample Depot
Regolith
5.30         2.09
Likely mixed sedimentary and igneous grains
19
March 30, 2023
749
Melyn
Berea
Upper Fan
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.04         2.38
Sedimentary
20
June 23, 2023
832
Otis Peak
Emerald Lake
Upper Fan
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
5.77         2.27
Sedimentary
21
Sept. 15, 2023
913
Pilot Mountain
Dream Lake
Upper Fan
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.00         2.36
Sedimentary
22
Sept. 25, 2023
923
Pelican Point
Hans Amundsen Memorial Workspace
Margin Unit
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.10         2.40
Sedimentary
23
Oct. 21, 2023
949
Lefroy Bay
Turquoise Bay
Margin Unit
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
4.70         1.85
Sedimentary
24
March 12, 2024
1088
Comet Geyser
Bunsen Peak
Margin Unit
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
5.78         2.28
Silica-cemented Carbonate
25
July 21, 2024
1215
Sapphire Canyon
Cheyava Falls
Neretva Vallis
Perseverance Rover
Rock Core
6.2         2.44
Sedimentary

Witness Tubes

Witness tube in Perseverance
This series of images shows NASA’s Perseverance rover inspecting and sealing a “witness” sample tube on June 21, 2021 (the 120th sol, or Martian day, of the mission), as it prepares to collect its first sample of Martian rock and sediment.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

As part of its search for signs of ancient life on Mars, Perseverance is the first rover to bring a sample caching system to the Red Planet that will package promising samples for return to Earth by a future mission. This series of images shows NASA’s Perseverance rover inspecting and sealing a “witness” sample tube on June 21, 2021 (the 120th sol, or Martian day, of the mission), as it prepares to collect its first sample of Martian rock and sediment.

Witness tubes are similar to the sample tubes that will hold Martian rock and sediment, except they have been preloaded with a variety of materials that can capture molecular and particulate contaminants. They are opened on the Martian surface to “witness” the ambient environment near sample collection sites. With samples returned to Earth in the future, the witness tubes would show whether Earth contaminants were present during sample collection. Such information would help scientists tell which materials in the Martian samples may be of Earth origin.

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