Amanda Kooser is a New Mexico-based journalist who covers quirky and unusual science stories. She’s explored a mushroom growing on a frog, perfume for dogs and strange rocks on Mars. As a freelance writer, Kooser has delved into gadgets, geek culture, public schools, weird foods, transatlantic travel, broadband and Route 66.
. The latest eye-catching formation is a set of boulders spotted by the Curiosity rover in the Gale Crater. The rocks are “covered in paper-thin sedimentary layers like the pages of a book,” wrote Curiosity team member Deborah Padgett in aThe page-like rock formations were unusual enough to catch the rover team’s eye and trigger a “thorough examination.” “Some layers have intriguing ripple structures that may have formed in running water or windblown sand,” Padgett said.
The dark rocks are nicknamed “Tungsten Hills” for a California mining district. The fascinating forms seem to be defying gravity, but that’s not unusual for Mars. Curiosity famously spotted a delicate, suspended rock formation in thein August 2015. Mars is a windy and dusty place, so erosion causes the fantastical shapes of some Martian rocks. Softer rock gets worn away while harder rock stays behind.
Curiosity is able to talk directly to Earth through an on-board antenna, but Earth’s position and a big mountain nearby make it tough. The rover team has to time its communications to when the antenna isn’t blocked. It adds a layer of complexity to working with the rover, but it doesn’t crimp the mission’s style. Earth is on the rise from Curiosity’s perspective, so communications will get easier soon.
The rover continues to send back a stream of images and data, including details on Tungsten Hills and the strange book-like formations. It’s a fitting comparison since Mars rocks are like an ancient library that scientists are translating to figure out the planet’s enigmatic history.Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.
Curiosity Mars Earth Mars Rovers Space
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASA's Mars rover to begin 'most challenging' journey up crater rimThe Perseverance rover will begin the Crater Rim Campaign on Aug. 19.
Read more »
NASA Mars Rover Set For Epic Climb Up A Crater RimAmanda Kooser is a New Mexico-based journalist who covers quirky and unusual science stories. She’s explored a mushroom growing on a frog, perfume for dogs and strange rocks on Mars. As a freelance writer, Kooser has delved into gadgets, geek culture, public schools, weird foods, transatlantic travel, broadband and Route 66.
Read more »
NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover To Begin Epic Climb up Steep Martian Crater RimScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
How NASA's Curiosity rover changed Mars landings forever (photos)Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X skuthunur.
Read more »
NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars begins steep climb to rim of a craterA NASA rover on Mars is tackling a new challenge and climbing to the rim of a crater.
Read more »
NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars begins steep climb to rim of a craterA NASA rover on Mars is tackling a new challenge and climbing to the rim of a crater. The rover called Perseverance started the steep climb Tuesday. It has spent the last 3 1/2 years exploring the bottom of the crater where it landed in 2021. So far, it has collected 22 rock core samples and will pick up more from the top of the crater.
Read more »