NASA’s Curiosity rover continues to make intriguing discoveries on the Martian surface. The rover’s team recently shared a captivating image on X (Formerly Twitter) of weird rock formations resembling the mythical dragon scales.
The rover’s Mast Camera (Mastcam) will provide detailed images that could reveal the structure and layering of the rocks while the Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instrument will analyze their chemical composition, the mission team tweeted.
The Curiosity rover has a history of encountering and studying a variety of intriguing rock formations on Mars. These discoveries not only make for spectacular visuals but also provide crucial insights into the geological and environmental history of the Red Planet. For instance, sedimentary rocks with layers can suggest past water activity, which is a key indicator of potential habitability.
Launched in 2011, NASA’s Curiosity rover continues to explore the Red Planet to investigate whether Mars ever had the right environmental conditions to support small life forms called microbes.
As the rover examines Martian mysteries, its journey continues to expand our knowledge of Mars, paving the way for the astronauts who will one day follow in its tire tracks.
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
