Curiosity data shows Gale Crater once a lake
Posted: Wed, Dec 10, 2014, 9:31 AM ET (1431 GMT)
Data collected by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has led scientists to conclude that the crater the rover is exploring was once a lake whose sediments built up the crater's central peak. Project scientists, analyzing data about sedimentary rocks obtained by Curiosity, said that they believe the crater repeatedly filled with water, which later evaporated, early in the planet's history. That process left sediments later sculpted by winds into the mountain at the center of Gale Crater. Curiosity is examining rocks at the base of that mountain, unofficially called Mount Sharp, and plans to drive up the mountain in the next several years to examine other rock layers.
Data collected by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has led scientists to conclude that the crater the rover is exploring was once a lake whose sediments built up the crater's central peak. Project scientists, analyzing data about sedimentary rocks obtained by Curiosity, said that they believe the crater repeatedly filled with water, which later evaporated, early in the planet's history. That process left sediments later sculpted by winds into the mountain at the center of Gale Crater. Curiosity is examining rocks at the base of that mountain, unofficially called Mount Sharp, and plans to drive up the mountain in the next several years to examine other rock layers.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, February 4
Matryoshka Satellites, Robotic Arms: Former US Space Force Commander Warns Of Russian, Chinese Threats
Radio Free Europe — 6:44 am ET (1144 GMT) Trump’s Golden Dome, a year in, is struggling to take shape
POLITICO — 6:43 am ET (1143 GMT) The Numbers, and Questions, Behind Musk’s Mega-Merger
New York Times — 6:43 am ET (1143 GMT) Elon Musk’s mega-merger makes little business sense
The Economist — 6:41 am ET (1141 GMT) Elon Musk is merging SpaceX and xAI to build data centers in space — or so he says
The Verge — 6:40 am ET (1140 GMT) |
