Perseverance's first focus on Mars is a rock named using Navajo language

The Perseverance Mars rover has its eyes set on its first area of interest, a rock that's been given the Navajo-inspired name Máaz, NASA shared Thursday. Working with the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, the Perseverance team has been naming different areas of Mars and points of interest relevant to the mission using the Navajo language. Aaron Yazzie, a Navajo (Diné) engineer on the mission team helped the crew get permission and collaborate with the Navajo Nation. Welcome to “Máaz.”My team is working with the Navajo Nation and @NNPrezNez, who are sharing their language to help us informally name features I’m exploring on Mars, like:tsé łichíí (red rock)yéigo (diligence)séítah (amongst the sand)Learn more: https://t.co/lqy0K1zz6N pic.twitter.com/B50gfRNR3D — NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 11, 2021 Read more... More about Nasa, Mars, Science, Identities, and Space