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.

Map of Mars
Interactive image map of the global topography of Mars, overlaid with the position of Martian rovers and landers. Coloring of the base map indicates relative elevations of Martian surface.
Clickable image: Clicking on the labels will open a new article.
Legend:   Active (white lined, ※) •   Inactive •   Planned (dash lined, ⁂)
(view • discuss)
Beagle 2Beagle 2
Bradbury Landing
Curiosity ※
Deep Space 2
Deep Space 2
Rosalind FranklinRosalind Franklin ⁂
InSightInSight
Mars 2Mars 2
Mars 3Mars 3
Mars 6Mars 6
Mars Polar Lander
Mars Polar Lander ↓
OpportunityOpportunity
Perseverance
Perseverance ※
PhoenixPhoenix
Schiaparelli EDM
Schiaparelli EDM
SojournerSojourner
Spirit
Spirit
Tianwen-1Zhurong
Viking 1
Viking 1
Viking 2Viking 2
Notable rocks on Mars
Adirondack
(Spirit) 		Barnacle Bill
(Sojourner) 		Bathurst Inlet
(Curiosity) 		Big Joe
(Viking) 		Block Island
(Opportunity) M 		Bounce
(Opportunity) 		Coronation
(Curiosity) 		El Capitan
(Opportunity)
Esperance
(Opportunity) 		Goulburn
(Curiosity) 		Heat Shield
(Opportunity) M 		Home Plate
(Spirit) 		Hottah
(Curiosity) 		Jake Matijevic
(Curiosity) 		Last Chance
(Opportunity) 		Link
(Curiosity)
Mackinac Island
(Opportunity) M 		Mimi
(Spirit) 		Oileán Ruaidh
(Opportunity) M 		Pot of Gold
(Spirit) 		Rocknest 3
(Curiosity) 		Shelter Island
(Opportunity) M 		Tintina
(Curiosity) 		Yogi
(Sojourner)
The table above contains clickable links M = Meteorite - (
This box:
)

1976 – Viking program: Viking 1 and Viking 2 landers

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 / 22.48; -49.97 (Viking 1 lander)[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 / 47.97; -225.74 (Viking 2 lander)[1]
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and 1-JPL and 2-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of rocks near the Viking 1 Lander (July 20, 1976) - First "clear" image ever transmitted from the surface of Mars.
Panorama of rocks near the Viking 1 Lander (July 23, 1976).
Panorama of rocks near the Viking 2 Lander (1976).

1997 – Sojourner rover (Mars Pathfinder)

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 / 19.13000; -33.22000 (Sojourner rover (Mars Pathfinder))
(Raw Images - 1-Camera/Sol and 2-Camera/Sol and 3-Camera/Sol and 1-JPL and 2-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of rocks near the Sojourner rover (July 10, 1997).
Panorama of rocks near the Sojourner rover (December 5, 1997).

2004 – Spirit rover (MER-A)

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 / -14.5684; 175.472636 (Spirit rover)[6]
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of rocks near the Spirit rover – Gusev Crater "Winter Haven" ("McMurdo") (August 17, 2006) (high-resolution description).
Panorama of rocks near the Spirit rover – Gusev Crater (August 5, 2004).

2004 – Opportunity rover (MER-B)

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 / -1.9462; 354.4734 (Opportunity rover)[6]
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of rocks near the Opportunity rover – Eagle crater (March 5, 2004).
Panorama of rocks near the Opportunity rover – Payson outcrop – Erebus crater (February 26, 2006).

2008 – Phoenix lander

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 / 68.22; -125.7 (Phoenix lander) (68°13′11.9994″N 125°42′0″W / 68.219999833°N 125.70000°W / 68.219999833; -125.70000 (Phoenix lander))
(Raw Images - Camera/Sol and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of rocks near the Phoenix lander (May 25, 2008).
Panorama of rocks near the Phoenix lander (August 19, 2008).

2012 – Curiosity rover (Mars Science Laboratory)

See also: Mars Science Laboratory and Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory

Curiosity rover – August 6, 2012; Gale crater; CURRENTLY ACTIVE.[13]
As of April 29, 2024, Curiosity has been active for 4170 sols (4284 total days; 11 years, 267 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 4°35′22″S 137°26′30″E / 4.5895°S 137.4417°E / -4.5895; 137.4417 (Curiosity rover) (4°35′22.2″S 137°26′30.1194″E / 4.589500°S 137.441699833°E / -4.589500; 137.441699833 (Curiosity rover))
(Raw Images - Camera and Sol and 1-JPL and 2-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of rocks as viewed by the Curiosity rover – near Bradbury Landing (August 9, 2012).
Panorama of rocks near Mount Sharp as viewed from the Curiosity rover (September 20, 2012; white balanced; raw color).
Panorama of rocks near the Curiosity rover at "Rocknest" (November 16, 2012; white balanced; raw color; interactives).
Panorama of rocks and drilling sites near the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay (December 24, 2012).
Panorama of rocks in "Hidden Valley" near the "Pahrump Hills" on Mount Sharp as viewed by the Curiosity rover (September 11, 2014).
Panorama of rocks at the "Mojave" site on Mount Sharp (January 31, 2015).
Panorama of the rocky slopes of Mount Sharp (September 9, 2015).
Panorama of rocks viewed by Curiosity on the slopes (at 327 m (1,073 ft) elevation) of Mount Sharp (October 25, 2017; video (1:53)).
Panorama of rocks viewed by Curiosity on the slopes of Mount Sharp (December 1, 2019; video (3:09)).
Panorama - viewed by Curiosity (November 16, 2021)
Panorama of rocks viewed by Curiosity on the slopes of Mount Sharp at Gediz Valles (November 7, 2022).
Panorama of rocks near the Curiosity rover – at Yellowknife Bay around sunset (February 2013; Sun simulated by artist).

2018 – InSight lander

InSight lander – May 8, 2018; Elysium Planitia; CURRENTLY ACTIVE.
As of April 29, 2024, InSight has been active for 1928 sols (1981 days; 5 years, 155 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 4°30′09″N 135°37′24″E / 4.5024°N 135.6234°E / 4.5024; 135.6234 (InSight lander) (4°30′8.6394″N 135°37′24.24″E / 4.502399833°N 135.6234000°E / 4.502399833; 135.6234000 (InSight lander))
(Raw Images - NASA and JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama of InSight lander landing site (December 9, 2018)

2021 – Perseverance rover (Mars 2020)

See also: Mars 2020 and Timeline of Mars 2020

Perseverance rover – February 18, 2021; Jezero crater; CURRENTLY ACTIVE.
As of April 29, 2024, Perseverance has been active for 1135 sols (1166 total days; 3 years, 71 days).
Mars landing coordinates: 18°26′41″N 77°27′03″E / 18.4447°N 77.4508°E / 18.4447; 77.4508 (Peseverance rover) (18°26′40.92″N 77°27′2.88″E / 18.4447000°N 77.4508000°E / 18.4447000; 77.4508000 (Curiosity rover))
(Raw Images - Camera and Sol and 1-JPL + 2-JPL + 3-JPL + NASA Image Viewer.)

Panorama from Perseverance's Octavia E. Butler Landing site (February 18, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance's Octavia E. Butler Landing site − Wind-carved rock (February 24, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance's Octavia E. Butler Landing site (February 21, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance's Octavia E. Butler Landing site (ultra-high-rez; February 22, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance viewing Santa Cruz (April 29, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance – "Crater Floor Fractured Rough" (July 8, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance views "Crater Floor Fractured Rough" and "paver rocks" area (July 15, 2021)
Panorama from Perseverance viewing the South Séítah geologic unit (September 12, 2021)
Panorama of Perseverance viewing first drill site (enhanced color; July 28, 2021)
Panorama of Perseverance viewing Santa Cruz (February 16, 2022)
Panorama of Perseverance viewing Airey Hill (November 3/4̹/6, 2023)
Panorama includes Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter near Octavia E. Butler Landing site (April 6, 2021)

Other rock formations

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Williams, David R. Dr. (December 18, 2006). "Viking Mission to Mars". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  2. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Viking 1". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  3. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Viking 2". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  4. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Mars Pathfinder / Sojourner Rover". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  5. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Mars Exploration Rover - Spirit". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Staff. "Mapping the Mars Rovers' Landing Sites". Esri. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  7. ^ Agle, DC; Brown, Dwayne; Wendel, JoAnna (13 February 2019). "NASA's Opportunity Rover Mission on Mars Comes to End". NASA. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Mars Exploration Rover - Opportunity". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  9. ^ Chang, Kenneth (7 June 2013). "Martian Rock Another Clue to a Once Water-Rich Planet". New York Times. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  10. ^ a b c O'Neill, Ian (January 17, 2014). "Mystery Rock 'Appears' in Front of Mars Rover". Space.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c Chang, Kenneth (January 24, 2014). "Mars Rover Marks an Unexpected Anniversary With a Mysterious Discovery". New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  12. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Phoenix". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  13. ^ Nelson, Jon. "Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover". NASA. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (March 18, 2013). "Curiosity Mars Rover Sees Trend In Water Presence". NASA. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  15. ^ Staff (December 3, 2012). "A Sampling of Martian Soils". NASA. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  16. ^ Staff (November 22, 2012). "Thanksgiving on Mars: Working Holiday for Curiosity Rover". Space.com. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  17. ^ Staff (December 11, 2012). "PIA16550: Layered Martian Outcrop 'Shaler' in 'Glenelg' Area". NASA. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  18. ^ Hoagland, Richard C. (December 4, 2012). "NASA Announces Curiosity Rover To Investigate Mysterious Linear Features, Called "Shaler"". Enterprise Mission. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  19. ^ a b Staff (January 4, 2013). "PIA16564: 'Snake River' Rock Feature Viewed by Curiosity Mars Rover". NASA. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  20. ^ a b c Rincon, Paul (March 19, 2013). "Curiosity breaks rock to reveal dazzling white interior". BBC. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  21. ^ a b Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne; Cantillo, Laurie (November 2, 2016). "Curiosity Mars Rover Checks Odd-looking Iron Meteorite". NASA. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  22. ^ Anderson, Paul Scott (February 3, 2013). "Curiosity 'hammers' a rock and completes first drilling tests". The Meridiani Journal. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  23. ^ Brown, Dwayne (October 30, 2012). "NASA Rover's First Soil Studies Help Fingerprint Martian Minerals". NASA. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  24. ^ David, Leonard (January 5, 2018). "Structures on Mars". Space.com. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  25. ^ Edwards, Christopher (January 3, 2018). "Sols 1913-1924: Curiosity's Working Holiday". NASA. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  26. ^ Adamson, Allan (March 5, 2018). "Scientist May Have Found Evidence Of Fossilized Alien Tracks On Planet Mars". TechTimes.com. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  27. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (March 6, 2018). "No, Those Aren't Animal Tracks on Mars". Space.com. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  28. ^ Kooser, Amanda (12 June 2019). "Star Trek on Mars: NASA spots Starfleet logo in dune footprint - Beam me down to Mars, Scotty". CNET. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  29. ^ Samson, Diane (16 June 2019). "William Shatner Takes Playful Jab At 'Star Wars' Over 'Starfleet' Symbol Found On Mars". TechTimes.com. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  30. ^ Speigel, Lee (October 19, 2015). "Buddha Statue (Or Rock Formation) Spotted On Mars". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  31. ^ Dapcevich, Madison (29 February 2024). "Authentic Image of Mysterious Object Found on Mars? - NASA confirmed to Snopes that the image was real, but it depicted a rather mundane object". Snopes. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.

External links

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