Modern year , new photograph from our nuclear - powered robot presently on the Earth’s surface of Mars , same predictable reactions .
In a fresh released image , Curiosity has rupture some interesting rock’n’roll formations described by the team as “ stick - like anatomy , ” which was just what the Internet needed to claim evidence of liveliness there . A immediate google suggests that they are either fossils or signs from an ancient refinement , calculate onwhere you get your conspiracy theories .
“ Meanwhile , back on Mars … I ’m checking out these stick - similar figure . Each is about a quarter - inch long . Maybe they ’re crystals ? Or they could be mineral that filled spaces where crystals break up forth . Stay tune ! skill continues , ” thetwitter feedof the rover reads .
Curiosity first spotted the unusual geological organisation inthe middle of last calendar month , and the probe was busy over the holidays analyzing the region . The chemical composition of the integral zone has appeal attention from scientist . The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter noticed patrician hues in this area compare to neighboring single and the team decided to extend the time Curiosity was to drop analyzing the terrain .
The rover used its Alpha Particle X - ray Spectrometer to influence out the composition of the “ stick trope ” and another target in their vicinity . The instrument shape by being placed in striking with the sample and then releasing Helium nuclei ( the alpha particles ) and disco biscuit - rays . This causes the open material to lose electrons in typical ways , allowing the scientists to knead out the composition of the sample .
Curiosity also used its ChemCam to take all-encompassing reflexion of the sphere to assist unravel its peculiar people of color . The data from all these observations is currently being analyzed so we will shortly find out exactly what these formations are and hopefully get some theme of how they arrive to form .
Curiosity has spent almost 2,000 sidereal day climbing up Mount Sharp , which is settle in the middle an ancient Martian lake acknowledge as Gale Crater . The scouter is slowly reveal how the Red Planet ’s environment modify from a water - plentiful worldly concern 1000000000 of years ago to the frigid dry desert we see today . Images and scientific data point from the military mission have been subservient in expanding our knowledge on Mars ’ geology at the start of the Solar System .
So alas , no fogey , no people , no frenzy , and lamentably , no Bowie .
