curiosity rover

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NASA's Curiosity rover finds a field of honeycomb-textured ground on Mars
2 months ago
- Curiosity rover discovered extensive honeycomb-like polygonal fractures in Valle Grande, much larger than any seen before.
- The polygons were captured in a 360-degree panorama, spreading across the landscape and wrapping around a butte.
- These formations may have originated from mud cracks or other processes like temperature cycles or compression.
- The discovery adds to evidence that ancient Mars had water, chemistry, and nutrients to support microbial life.
- Organic molecules considered precursors to RNA and DNA were found, indicating Mars had the right chemistry for life.
In the Land of the Polygons on Mars
2 months ago
- Curiosity explores a light-toned unit with polygonal structures resembling a giant Martian honeycomb.
- Dark-toned pebbles and cobbles litter the area; their origin is uncertain and may include meteorites (some containing nickel).
- Monday's plan included APXS and MAHLI on polygons, ChemCam RMI and LIBS measurements, and environmental observations.
- After further driving, Friday's plan targeted a dark cobble named 'Cortadera' and polygon ridges, with Mastcam mosaics of surrounding features.
- Next week, Curiosity will cross into a darker-toned, rougher-textured band visible from orbit.
Curiosity Rover Finds "Sea of Polygons" on Martian Surface
2 months ago
- NASA's Curiosity rover, deployed on Mars in 2012, continues to send back photos, including recent images of striking honeycomb patterns in the Martian regolith.
- Curiosity previously discovered hexagonal mud cracks in Gale Crater, providing evidence of persistent wet-dry cycles on ancient Mars.
- These wet-dry cycles may have enabled prebiotic polymerization, helping form the building blocks of life, such as protein chains.
- The rover's onboard lab has detected large organic compounds, one resembling a DNA precursor, supporting the potential for life's building blocks on Mars.
- The newly found honeycomb patterns are under analysis, promising further insights into Mars' geological history.
Image Shows What 14 Years of Driving Has Done to NASA's Mars Rover
2 months ago
- NASA's Curiosity rover has been operating on Mars since 2012, covering over 20 miles of rough terrain, resulting in significant wear and tear on its aluminum wheels, including jagged holes, cracked treads, and torn metal.
- Despite the damage, Curiosity continues to provide scientific data, and NASA engineers are working to extend its lifespan by rerouting around sharp terrain and developing traction control software to prevent further damage.
- The wheels are made of thin aluminum (half the thickness of a dime) with protective grousers, but sharp rocks on Mars have caused damage since 2013, with several grousers breaking and holes enlarging over time.
- NASA monitors wheel condition regularly using the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager, and the mission is extended indefinitely to maximize data collection until the rover fails.
- Curiosity has achieved key milestones, such as finding evidence of ancient water, while its successor, Perseverance, continues to capture high-quality images of Mars.

curiosity rover

NASA's Curiosity rover finds a field of honeycomb-textured ground on Mars

In the Land of the Polygons on Mars

Curiosity Rover Finds "Sea of Polygons" on Martian Surface

Image Shows What 14 Years of Driving Has Done to NASA's Mars Rover