A Flower Shaped Rock on Mars
Explanation:
It is one of the more unusual rocks yet found on Mars.
Smaller than a penny, the rock has several appendages that make it look, to some,
like a flower.
Although it would be a major discovery if the rock was truly a fossilized ancient
Martian flower, there are
less spectacular -- and
currently
preferred --
explanations for its unusual structure.
One theory that has emerged is that the rock is a type of
concretion
created by minerals deposited by water in cracks or divisions in existing rock.
These concretions can be compacted together, can be harder and denser than surrounding
rock, and can remain even after the surrounding rock
erodes away.
The flower structure may also be caused by
crystal clusters.
The small
rock, named Blackthorn Salt, has similarities to
previously
imaged
Martian
pebbles.
The featured image was taken by the
Curiosity rover on
Mars
in late February.
Scientists will continue to study data and images taken of this
-- and similar -- surprising
Martian rocks.
Review: Last Year in Space Pictures
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.