Update: Following closed afternoon meetings at the conclusion of a scientific advisory session on 10 February, NASA announced the official final 3 sites under consideration for the Mars 2020 rover. As expected, Jezero and Northeast Syrtis were put forward. But rather than forwarding along Eberswalde or Mawrth Vallis, two other top candidates, the 2020 rover team stated that Columbia Hills, a site previously explored by the Spirit rover, would be considered as the third option.
Here is our initial story:
Mars scientists have spoken, nominating Jezero crater and three other sites as their favorite targets for a NASA rover to be launched in 2020. Once home to an ancient river delta, Jezero crater may have collected and preserved ancient organic molecules that flowed in from beyond the crater’s rim.
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