Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
NASA's Curiosity rover embarks on a journey through the Gediz Vallis channel on Mars, aiming to unravel the planet's watery past and uncover clues about the disappearance of liquid water.
The recent expedition seeks to shed light on the transformation of Mars from a warmer, wetter environment billions of years ago to the dry, desolate landscape seen today.
Curiosity's mission focuses on investigating the winding Gediz Vallis channel, carved deep into Martian bedrock, offering insight into the planet's geological history.
The steep sides of Gediz Vallis suggest powerful forces such as debris flows or rivers laden with rocks and sediment, challenging previous theories about Martian surface sculpting.
Curiosity has been exploring the foothills of Mount Sharp since 2014, uncovering millions of years of Martian climate change recorded in the mountain's stratified layers.
Exploration of Gediz Vallis could reshape the understanding of Mount Sharp's formation, indicating a late resurgence of water flow after prolonged arid periods.
Previous findings by Curiosity suggest that Mars experienced multiple wet and dry cycles, rather than a gradual drying process, contributing to the planet's complex water history.
Curiosity's project scientist highlights the significance of the ongoing exploration, supported by evidence of mud cracks, shallow lakes, and catastrophic debris flows, as the rover continues to capture detailed panoramas and provide crucial data.