Crystals on Mars
Explanation:
This
extreme close-up,
a mosaic from the Mars Hand Lens Imager
(
MAHLI)
on the Curiosity rover, spans a breathtaking 5 centimeters.
It captures what appear to be elongated crystal shapes formed by
the precipitation of minerals dissolved in water, a likely result of the
evaporation of ancient lake or river
from
the Martian surface.
Brushed by a dust removal tool and illuminated by white
LEDs, the target rock named Mojave was found on the Pink Cliffs outcrop
of the Pahrump Hills at the
base
of Mount Sharp.
The MAHLI images were acquired on
Curiosity's sol 809,
known on planet Earth as November 15, 2014.
Of course, the inset
1909
Lincoln Cent image is provided for a comparison scale.
Covered with Mars dust itself, the penny is a MAHLI calibration target
attached to the rover.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
