This is an alphabetical list of named rocks (and meteorites) found on Mars, by mission. This list is a sampling of rocks viewed, and is not an exhaustive listing. A more complete listing may be found on the various NASA mission web sites. This listing does not include Martian meteorites found on Earth.
Names for Mars rocks are largely unofficial designations used for ease of discussion purposes, as the International Astronomical Union's official Martian naming system declares that objects smaller than 100 m (330 ft) are not to be given official names. Because of this, some less significant rocks seen in photos returned by Mars rovers have been named more than once, and others have even had their names changed later due to conflicts or even matters of opinion. Often rocks are named after the children or family members of astronauts or NASA employees. The name Jazzy, for example, was taken from a girl named Jazzy who grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, USA. Her father worked for NASA and contributed to the findings and naming of the rocks.
See also: Viking program |
Viking 1 Lander – July 20, 1976; Last Earth Contact – November 13, 1982.[1][2]
Viking 1 was operational on Mars for 2245 sols (2307 days; 6 years, 116 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 22°29′N 49°58′W / 22.48°N 49.97°W[1]
Viking 2 Lander – September 3, 1976; Last Earth Contact – April 11, 1980.[1][3]
Viking 2 was operational on Mars for 1281 sols (1316 days; 3 years, 221 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 47°58′N 225°44′W / 47.97°N 225.74°W[1]
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and 1-JPL and 2-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
See also: Mars Pathfinder |
Sojourner rover – July 4, 1997; Last Earth Contact – September 27, 1997.[4]
Sojourner was operational on Mars for 92 sols (95 days; 95 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 19°7′48″N 33°13′12″W / 19.13000°N 33.22000°W
(Raw Images - 1-Camera/Sol and 2-Camera/Sol and 3-Camera/Sol and 1-JPL and 2-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
See also: Mars Exploration Rover |
Spirit Rover – January 4, 2004; Last Earth Contact – May 25, 2011.[5]
Spirit was operational on Mars for 2208 sols (2249 days; 6 years, 77 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 14°34′06″S 175°28′21″E / 14.5684°S 175.472636°E[6]
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
See also: Mars Exploration Rover |
Opportunity rover – January 25, 2004; Last Earth Contact June 10, 2018.[7][8]
Opportunity was operational on Mars for 5110 sols (5250 days; 14 years, 136 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 1°56′46″S 354°28′24″E / 1.9462°S 354.4734°E[6]
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
See also: Mars Scout Program |
Phoenix lander – May 25, 2008; Green Valley, Vastitas Borealis − Last Earth Contact – November 10, 2008.[12]
Phoenix was operational on Mars for 157 sols (161 days; 161 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 68°13′N 125°42′W / 68.22°N 125.7°W (68°13′11.9994″N 125°42′0″W / 68.219999833°N 125.70000°W)
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
See also: Mars Science Laboratory and Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory |
Curiosity rover – August 6, 2012; Gale crater; CURRENTLY ACTIVE.[13]
As of July 10, 2024, Curiosity has been active for 4240 sols (4356 total days; 11 years, 339 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 4°35′22″S 137°26′30″E / 4.5895°S 137.4417°E (4°35′22.2″S 137°26′30.1194″E / 4.589500°S 137.441699833°E)
(Raw Images - Camera and Sol and 1-JPL and 2-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
InSight lander – May 8, 2018; Elysium Planitia; CURRENTLY ACTIVE.
As of July 10, 2024, InSight has been active for 1998 sols (2053 days; 5 years, 227 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 4°30′09″N 135°37′24″E / 4.5024°N 135.6234°E (4°30′8.6394″N 135°37′24.24″E / 4.502399833°N 135.6234000°E)
(Raw Images - NASA and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)
See also: Mars 2020 and Timeline of Mars 2020 |
Perseverance rover – February 18, 2021; Jezero crater; CURRENTLY ACTIVE.
As of July 10, 2024, Perseverance has been active for 1205 sols (1238 total days; 3 years, 143 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 18°26′41″N 77°27′03″E / 18.4447°N 77.4508°E (18°26′40.92″N 77°27′2.88″E / 18.4447000°N 77.4508000°E)
(Raw Images - Camera and Sol and 1-JPL + 2-JPL + 3-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)