Rubies on Mars? Rover finds fluorescent gems for 1st time

View larger. | The Perseverance rover captured this view as it ascended up the to the rim of Jezero Crater on December 5, 2024. Now the rover has found rubies on Mars, or perhaps sapphires, in tiny pebbles on the outside of the crater rim. Still image from video via NASA/ JPL-Caltech/ ASU/ MSSS.

• NASA’s Perseverance rover has found tiny gemstones in Martian pebbles. They are composed of corundum.
• The gems are likely rubies or maybe sapphires, the rover’s analysis suggests. The gems...