The strange geological formation photographed by Curiosity
Rover Curiosity broke the stone as he passed over her. A strange intense yellow crystalline structure caught the researchers’ attention.
While roaming the Gediz Vallis channel, an area known for its high concentration of sulfates, Rover Curiosity went over a rock fragment that, when leaving, revealed a crystalline structure of an intense yellow tone.
The mineral found not only had never been detected before on the surface of the red planet, but also if believed it was impossible to exist there.
Analyzes performed by the instruments on board and NASA confirmed that it was Sulfur in the elementary state.
Pure sulfur is only for very specific geochemical circumstances, which do not coincide with the conditions known in Gediz Vallis. Its appearance made the experts perplexed.
“It’s like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert”these Ashwin vasavadaScientist of the Curiosity Project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, quoted by.
As the same newspaper writes, since the beginning of its mission, Rover found multiple evidence of water and chemical compounds potentially favorable to life. However, the discovery of this pure state is an absolute novelty, which requires deepening the study of the processes that may have originated.
Scientists have also observed rock formations with pale edges, similar to those appearing on Earth when groundwater infiltrates and causes chemical reactions. These indications point to a intense interaction between water, salts and mineralsfactors that may have influenced the appearance of elementary sulfur.
The images captured by the Rover reveal other similar rocks spread throughout the area, suggesting that there may be more deposits of this material in Gediz Vallis.
