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APOD: 2011 December 12 An Unusual Vein of Deposited Rock on Mars
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Credit & Copyright: Mars
Exploration Rover Mission,
NASA,
JPL,
Cornell;
Image Processing: Kenneth Kremer, Marco Di Lorenzo
Explanation:
What could create this unusual vein of rock on Mars?
A leading hypothesis is that
this
thin rock layer dubbed "Homestake" was deposited by a running liquid -- like
most
mineral veins are here on
Earth.
And the
running liquid of choice is water.
Therefore, this
mineral streak -- rich in calcium and sulfur -- is the latest in the growing
body of evidence that part of
Mars had a watery past.
This, in turn, increases the speculation that
Mars was once hospitable to life.
Pictured above is a vista taken near the western rim of
Endeavour Crater by the
Opportunity rover currently exploring Mars.
The
inset image shows a close up of the recently discovered mineral vein.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars
Publications with words: Mars
See also: