‘Used in Gunpowder’: NASA’s Curiosity rover makes a surprising discovery on Mars
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Unexpected Discovery
On May 30, NASA’s Curiosity rover cracked open a rock, revealing yellow sulfur crystals, a previously unseen phenomenon on Mars.
Images : NASA
Sulphate-Rich Region
Since October 2023, Curiosity has been exploring a sulphate-rich area. Sulphates form as water evaporates, and prior findings were sulphur-based minerals mixed with other materials.
Pure Sulphur Found
This rock contained pure elemental sulfur, which is odorless and forms under specific conditions not typically associated with this Martian region.
Images : NASA
Extensive Sulphur Field
Curiosity discovered an entire field of bright sulphur-containing rocks, indicating a significant and widespread presence of elemental sulphur.
Project Scientist’s Insight
Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada, compared the find to an oasis in the desert, emphasizing the need to explain this unexpected discovery.
Gediz Vallis Channel Exploration
Curiosity has been off-roading in Gediz Vallis channel, a groove on Mount Sharp’s slope, studying different Martian history periods represented by the mountain’s layers.
Floods and Avalanches Evidence
The rover’s exploration of Gediz Vallis revealed evidence of both ancient floods and landslides. Rounded stones suggest water flows, while angular rocks indicate dry avalanches.
Images : NASA
Water-Induced Changes
Chemical reactions from water have bleached “halo” shapes into some rocks, exposed by wind and sand erosion over time.
Images : NASA
Sampling Mammoth Lakes Rock
On June 18, Curiosity drilled its 41st rock sample from a nearby large rock called “Mammoth Lakes.” The rover’s instruments are analysing the powdered rock to uncover its composition. Curiosity has since moved on to explore more of Gediz Vallis channel.
Additional Details
On June 8, Curiosity captured an image of a rock nicknamed “Snow Lake,” showing crystalline textures and elemental sulphur. Curiosity’s MastCam captured a 360-degree view of Gediz Vallis channel, showcasing the landscape where sulphur crystals were found. Images reveal white “halo” shapes in rocks, indicating chemical reactions from water infiltration along fractures. NASA continues to analyse these findings, deepening our understanding of Mars’s geological history and its potential to support life.