NASA’s Curiosity Rover Finds Surprising Rock on Mars

A rock resembling an open book with a page turning in the middle has been found on Mars.

The close-up photograph of a book-like rock taken by NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover on April 15, 2023, has provided valuable insights into the Martian atmosphere and ecosystem, aiding scientists in expanding their understanding.

Dubbed "Terra Firme," the rock, bearing a striking resemblance to the open pages of a book, earned its nickname. The Mars Curiosity Rover, equipped with the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) at the tip of its robotic arm, stumbled upon this intriguing discovery on its 3,800th day of exploration on the Red Planet. With a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm, the rock has captured the attention of scientists.

"My team thinks this uniquely-shaped pebble resembles an open book with pages blowing in the wind. (Though at only an inch across, it would be a teeny tiny book...)."

As stated by NASA, peculiarly shaped rocks are abundant on Mars, frequently resulting from water permeating cracks in rocks during the planet's ancient history, carrying denser minerals along with it. Over countless ages of wind erosion, the softer rock is gradually eroded, leaving behind only the more resilient materials.

Mars' history revealed

As stated by NASA, peculiarly shaped rocks are abundant on Mars, frequently resulting from water permeating cracks in rocks during the planet's ancient history, carrying denser minerals along with it. Over countless ages of wind erosion, the softer rock is gradually eroded, leaving behind only the more resilient materials.

"NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, leads the Curiosity mission. Curiosity took the selfie using a camera called the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the end of its robotic arm. MAHLI was built by Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego."

Perseverance Rover's recent findings

The recent discoveries made by NASA's Perseverance rover while exploring the Jazero crater on Mars have revolutionized our comprehension of the planet's water-rich past. Through images obtained by the advanced astrobiology tools aboard the SUV-sized rover, scientists are now suggesting the existence of a formidable river system on ancient Mars.

These findings have surpassed previous knowledge by revealing the remarkable depth and speed of this long-lost Martian watercourse. The new insights gained from the Perseverance mission are shedding light on the intriguing history of Mars' watery landscapes and the potential for habitability in the planet's distant past.