“Sawblade” is the identify given to the blocks with wavy textures on this picture of Mars from NASA’s … [+]
Dragon scales. Wavy. Tire tracks. These are phrases NASA Curiosity rover crew members used to explain a gaggle of wierd and engaging rocks discovered within the Gale Crater on Mars. The formations are adorned with dramatic patterns resembling the woven fibers of a basket. They caught the attention of scientists who at the moment are asking, “What’s that?” An investigation is underway.
Curiosity snapped the rocks with its left navigation digicam on April 14. “Now we have seen plenty of layered rocks during the last 12 years on Mars, however these ones actually stand out by the dizzying sample they hint on the rock surfaces,” wrote planetary scientist Michelle Minitti in a mission replace on April 16. The crew nicknamed one of many toothy-looking blocks “Sawblade.”
Sawblade is an enigma within the quick time period, however scientists are working to grasp it. “The crew is ready on higher-res imagery to research Sawblade,” says JPL spokesperson Andrew Good over e-mail. “They’re contemplating numerous completely different geological processes that would probably type that sample, but it surely’s actually too quickly to say with no nearer look.” Curiosity is utilizing its onboard devices to review the formation’s chemistry and texture. Minitti described the rocks as “wild new wonders.”
Minitti used the rover replace to speak about two classes of observations made by Curiosity: typical and weird. Typical observations embrace information and pictures collected on frequent forms of rocks and panorama options. Sawblade, nevertheless, falls firmly into the weird class. “We wish ‘uncommon’ observations as a result of they could point out a change within the rock kind or chemistry that reveals a brand new geologic course of or regime on Mount Sharp,” Minitti mentioned.
Curiosity has been in residence on Mars since 2012. The rover is exploring Mount Sharp, a large central mountain that rises 3.4 miles above the crater ground. Curiosity isn’t attempting to summit the mountain, however is investigating the decrease reaches.
The long-lived rover is on a mission to determine if Mars may need as soon as been capable of host microbial life. NASA is especially all in favour of Gale Crater’s historical past of water and what that may imply for previous habitability. The rover not too long ago explored what could also be an historical river channel. Sawblade may assist scientists fill in particulars in regards to the crater’s geology and the processes that formed the rocks.
Curiosity is not any stranger to unusual rocks. Wind is a significant component in creating the wild and great shapes of rocks on Mars. The rover as soon as noticed a rock resembling an iconic Star Trek image. Area followers can comply with the rover’s adventures by way of mission updates and a always up to date feed of uncooked pictures. Spend a while wanting on the photographs and also you’re sure to search out one thing that catches your eye. It’s like watching a documentary that simply retains on going.
Sawblade ought to ultimately surrender its secrets and techniques. For now, it stands out as a mysterious and engaging formation worthy of nearer research. Curiosity has spent a few years on the crimson planet, and Mars nonetheless finds methods to shock us.
