Coral-shaped rock spotted on Mars, NASA shares pic
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has sent back some fascinating images of the Martian surface, and this time, it’s caught our attention with a rock that bears an uncanny resemblance to coral. The rock, found in the Gale Crater, is a large impact basin on Mars, has left scientists intrigued. According to NASA, this recently discovered coral-like rock is believed to be around a billion years old.
The picture, which has been shared by NASA, shows a black and white image of the rock, with its intricate details and patterns. The rock’s shape is remarkably similar to that of a piece of coral, with its wavy, branching structure and rough surface. The image was captured using NASA’s ChemCam instrument, which is a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system that is used to analyze the chemical composition of rocks and soil on Mars.
The discovery of this coral-like rock is significant because it provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the geological history of Mars. NASA scientists believe that the rock is a remnant of an ancient lakebed, and its coral-like structure is likely the result of chemical reactions that occurred in the lake.
“This rock is a great example of the diversity of geological features we’re seeing on Mars,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, the Curiosity Mars rover’s project scientist. “It’s a reminder that the Martian surface has a complex and fascinating history, and we’re excited to continue exploring and learning more about it.”
The Gale Crater is a large impact basin on Mars that is about 96 miles (154 kilometers) in diameter. It was formed around 3.5 billion years ago, when a massive asteroid or comet slammed into the Martian surface. The crater is now a dry, barren landscape, but NASA scientists believe that it was once home to a lake.
The Curiosity Mars rover has been operating on Mars since 2012, and has been exploring the Gale Crater since 2014. During its mission, the rover has discovered a variety of geological features, including ancient lakebeds, riverbeds, and even evidence of ancient lakes.
The coral-like rock is just the latest in a series of fascinating discoveries made by the Curiosity Mars rover. In the past, the rover has discovered evidence of ancient methane lakes, as well as a massive ancient lakebed that is now dry and barren.
The discovery of this coral-like rock is a reminder of the incredible diversity of geological features that exist on Mars. The planet’s surface is a complex and fascinating place, with a history that stretches back billions of years.
As NASA continues to explore Mars, we can expect to see many more exciting discoveries like this. The Curiosity Mars rover will continue to operate on Mars for at least another few years, and scientists will continue to study the data it sends back to Earth.
For now, we can enjoy this amazing image of the coral-like rock, and marvel at the incredible geological features that exist on Mars.
Source:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia26634-curiositys-chemcam-views-a-rock-shaped-like-coral/
