NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The Perseverance rover is exploring a new region of interest the team is calling “Krokodillen,” and it may contain some of the oldest rocks on Mars. In addition, mission scientists are adopting a new sampling strategy that allows for leaving some cored samples unsealed in case the mission finds a more scientifically compelling geologic feature down the road. "We've been exploring Mars for over four years, and every single filled sample tube we have on board has its own unique and compelling story to tell," said Perseverance acting project scientist Katie Stack Morgan of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "There are seven empty sample tubes remaining and a lot of open road in front of us, so we’re going to keep a few tubes — including the one containing the Bell Island core — unsealed for now. This strategy allows us maximum flexibility as we continue our collection of diverse and compelling rock samples." Learn more: go.nasa.gov/43o0OnY

Small things matter for life in Earth's oceans 🌊 By measuring ocean surface features on a smaller scale than was previously possible from space, SWOT's high-resolution data is helping us understand how waves and eddies carry heat, nutrients, and energy through marine ecosystems. Researchers have already started incorporating SWOT ocean data into some models, and the information will help them better understand how the marine ecosystem will react to a changing world. go.nasa.gov/4kvWcTP 

In the early '90s, NASA's Magellan mission used its radar system to see through Venus’ thick atmosphere and map the topography of its mountains and plains, and collected gravity data to detect structures under the surface. Using archival data from the mission, researchers have uncovered new evidence that tectonic activity may be deforming the planet’s surface. Published in the journal Science Advances, the study focuses on quasi-circular features known as coronae, which seem to be shaped by deep plumes of hot, buoyant material molten rock rising from the planet's mantle. NASA's forthcoming VERITAS mission to Venus will boost the resolution of gravity maps by at least a factor of two to four, a level of detail that could revolutionize our understanding of the planet's geology and implications for early Earth. Learn more: go.nasa.gov/4k0Crno

The Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft are in a planned communications pause, as the 70-meter antenna that commands them is undergoing upgrades, with only brief periods of operation until February 2026. In advance of the pause, the tenacious team again did something incredible: Found a fix for thrusters on Voyager 1 that have been inoperable for more than 2 decades! Learn more: go.nasa.gov/3FedNk4

Mars in infrared, courtesy of a spacecraft bound for Jupiter. The Europa Clipper spacecraft recently flew near the Red Planet as part of a gravity assist maneuver on its journey to Jupiter's ocean moon. During the flyby, the mission team captured thermal images of Mars as a way to help calibrate its thermal imaging instrument, E-THEMIS. Scientists will compare these thermal images with established Mars data to make sure the instrument is operating correctly when it arrives at the Jupiter system in 2030. go.nasa.gov/3ERKEv8

Laurie Leshin will step down as JPL’s director on June 1. David Gallagher, who has been serving as the Lab’s associate director for Strategic Integration, will become JPL’s 11th director. More on this transition: go.nasa.gov/4k8gFhm -----   Following the announcement, NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro shared this statement:   “Laurie Leshin’s leadership at JPL has been nothing short of extraordinary. She brought a sharp scientific mind, a strong sense purpose, and a clear vision that helped propel the lab forward during a pivotal time. From groundbreaking missions to remarkable technological milestones, Laurie advanced JPL’s legacy of exploration and innovation. We are grateful for her service and wish her the very best as she continues to inspire in the next phase of her career. I’m equally confident in Dave Gallagher’s ability to lead JPL’s next chapter. He brings decades of experience, a steady hand, and a deep understanding of what makes JPL unique. With Dave at the helm, JPL remains well-positioned to continue delivering for NASA and the nation – pushing the boundaries of science and discovery for the benefit of all.”

Let the cosmic mapmaking begin! ✨ SPHEREx has started its science mission, scanning the entire sky in 102 infrared wavelengths that will create all-sky maps of our cosmos like never before. Over the course of its two-year prime mission, SPHEREx will take hundreds of thousands of images that will be digitally woven together to chart the positions of hundreds of millions of galaxies, helping to uncover the universe's hidden secrets. go.nasa.gov/3EPrS7u

What’s Up for May, skywatchers? Mars and Jupiter in the evening skies; Venus and Saturn in the mornings – and in the early hours of May 6, be on the lookout for Eta Aquarid meteors! (This show is the best for those in the Southern Hemisphere, but it's still visible here in the Northern Hemisphere.) More skywatching tips: go.nasa.gov/whatsup

This month marks six years since we first saw an image of a black hole. But what about the ones we can’t see? Many black holes in our universe are still hidden, and the NuSTAR mission is on the hunt! Meet one of the team's scientists, Peter Booman, who explains how the space-based X-ray telescope peers through clouds of thick gas and dust to find black holes other telescopes can’t spot.

When NASA's Artemis mission needed to test spacesuit gloves and boots in cryogenic conditions, we were happy to lend a hand 🤝 Learn more about the testing that took place in a unique chamber at JPL – and what's ahead: go.nasa.gov/3RziDer