July 19th, 2024

NASA's Curiosity Rover Discovers a Surprise in a Martian Rock

NASA's Curiosity Rover found yellow sulfur crystals on Mars, a unique discovery. Scientists investigate the significance of pure sulfur, alongside evidence of past water flows and rock composition insights, revealing Mars' ancient history.

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NASA's Curiosity Rover Discovers a Surprise in a Martian Rock

NASA's Curiosity Rover made a surprising discovery on Mars when it cracked open a rock to reveal yellow sulfur crystals, a first on the Red Planet. The rover has been exploring an area rich in sulfates since October 2023, but this find of elemental sulfur is unique. Scientists are puzzled by the presence of pure sulfur and are investigating its significance. Curiosity's exploration of the Gediz Vallis channel on Mount Sharp has also revealed evidence of past water flows and debris movements, shedding light on Mars' ancient history. The rover recently drilled its 41st rock sample, providing valuable insights into the composition of the Martian rocks. These discoveries highlight the dynamic geological processes that shaped Mars billions of years ago. Curiosity's mission aims to uncover clues about the planet's past habitability and potential for ancient microbial life. NASA continues to be intrigued by the mysteries of Mars as Curiosity uncovers more surprises within the channel.

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AI: What people are saying
The discovery of yellow sulfur crystals on Mars by NASA's Curiosity Rover has generated diverse reactions.
  • Some commenters criticize NASA's use of clickbait headlines, suggesting more straightforward titles.
  • There is excitement about the potential for more geological discoveries in the area Curiosity is exploring.
  • Commenters discuss the implications of finding sulfur on Mars, including the possibility of sulfur-based life forms.
  • Some express curiosity about Mars' ancient water history and its potential to have supported life.
  • Others make light-hearted or humorous remarks about the discovery and its context.
Link Icon 16 comments
By @solardev - 7 months
I wish NASA wouldn't use clickbait headlines :/ "Curiosity rover discovers sulfur crystals in Martian rock" would be nice.
By @1970-01-01 - 7 months
I have a hunch this valley is hiding many more geological secrets. If you look at the map, Curiosity is finally arriving at the more interesting bits of Mt. Sharp.

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/location-map/

By @ronnier - 7 months
> yellow crystals were revealed after NASA’s Curiosity happened to drive over a rock and crack it open on May 30. Using an instrument on the rover’s arm, scientists later determined these crystals are elemental sulfur — and it’s the first time this kind of sulfur has been found on the Red Planet
By @Zondartul - 7 months
It's cool how some minerals are just lying out in the open on Mars. On Earth this would have been washed away or buried under the soil.
By @delsarto - 7 months
Check out Mars Guy https://youtube.com/@marsguy?si=AFAci3mConZv1L5- Dr. Steve Ruff. Excellent videos from an expert, but one terrific thing is the use of common objects (like mars guy cutout) that gives you some better perspective on the images.
By @lawlessone - 7 months
between this and the iron nuggets sitting out in the open on Mars,..No Mans Sky is more realistic than i thought.
By @morning-coffee - 7 months
They could've gotten more mileage out of a headline like "Was an alien crystalline life form just discovered, or...!?"
By @netcraft - 7 months
When we figure out how this formed, I wonder if that will have any impact on the feasibility of sulfur based lifeforms?
By @dzonga - 7 months
I would rather know why water on mars evaporated and if there was life on mars when there was water on mars
By @mcswell - 7 months
Must have come from Io. Lots of sulfur volcanos there.
By @layer8 - 7 months
Found the Martian hellmouth. ;)
By @vinnie-io - 7 months
what's that perfect white circle in the bottom left
By @olliej - 7 months
oh boo, it wasn't part of a soviet probe :( :D
By @aatd86 - 7 months
So martians are into rock n roll huh? :o)
By @klyrs - 7 months
Tl,dr: not a furby
By @jonhohle - 7 months
> “It shouldn’t be there.”

What hubris. “We didn’t expect it to be there,” or similar would be more appropriate. I really would like to see more uncertainty and humility from scientists that base their work on theory.