NASA's Curiosity rover has identified a vast field of honeycomb-like polygonal fractures while exploring a Martian valley known as Valle Grande.
Key facts
- •The polygonal fractures measure approximately 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 8 centimeters) across.
- •The discovery was documented during the 4,930th and 4,931st Martian days of the mission.
- •The formations appear on the ground and on the sides of a 20-foot (6-meter) butte named Miraflores.
- •Curiosity has been exploring Mars for 14 years, having landed in August 2012.
- •The rover has previously found sulfur crystals, meteorites, and precursors to RNA and DNA.
NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered an expansive landscape of honeycomb-shaped polygonal fractures within a Martian valley nicknamed Valle Grande. These geometric patterns, measuring between 1.5 and 3 inches across, were documented in a 360-degree panorama captured on June 19 and 20. The formations extend across the terrain and climb the sides of a nearby 20-foot-tall butte called Miraflores.
By the numbers
Investigating Formation Processes
While Curiosity has previously encountered smaller clusters of similar shapes, the scale of the current field is unprecedented for the mission. Scientists are currently analyzing the chemistry and geometry of these polygons to determine their origin. Potential causes include the drying of ancient mud, repeated thermal expansion and contraction, or compression processes that force water out of buried sediment.
Context of the Mission
Since landing on Mars on August 5, 2012, Curiosity has provided significant insights into the planet's history. The rover has identified chemical traces, including carbon-based molecules, that suggest ancient Mars possessed the water and nutrients necessary to support microbial life. The rover is currently climbing Mount Sharp, a 3-mile-tall mountain it has been ascending since 2014.
Timeline
- August 5, 2012Curiosity landed on Mars.
- 2014Curiosity began climbing Mount Sharp.
- June 19 and 20The rover captured a 360-degree panorama of the polygonal field.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ScienceDaily.
