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Gale Crater

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Mars's Lost Giant Moon: Evidence for an 18× Phobos-Sized Satellite
science16 days ago

Mars's Lost Giant Moon: Evidence for an 18× Phobos-Sized Satellite

Sedimentary rhythmites in Gale Crater's Jura outcrop, analyzed by NASA's Curiosity rover, point to Mars once hosting a much larger moon capable of driving tides in an ancient lake. The proposed moon would have been about 18 times the mass of Phobos and may have been tidally destroyed into rings that later formed Phobos and Deimos. While promising, the evidence isn’t definitive and researchers will inspect additional sites to test the idea.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#curiosity-rover#gale-crater#mars
Curiosity Finds Rare Hematite Clues to Mars' Water Past in Gale Crater
space1 month ago

Curiosity Finds Rare Hematite Clues to Mars' Water Past in Gale Crater

NASA’s Curiosity rover, exploring Vera Rubin Ridge in Gale Crater, has identified high concentrations of hematite—an iron-oxide mineral formed in water—raising questions about Mars’ ancient, water-rich environment; the mission also notes unique Martian dunes and continues to study oxidation and past habitability while navigating mechanical wear.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#curiosity-rover#gale-crater#hematite
Ice blankets could keep ancient Martian lakes liquid while the planet froze
space1 month ago

Ice blankets could keep ancient Martian lakes liquid while the planet froze

A LakeM2ARS modeling study using Curiosity data from Gale crater simulated 64 possible ancient Martian lakes over 30 Martian years each (about 56 Earth years). In some cases the lakes froze solid in winter; in others a thin ice lid formed and melted seasonally, insulating the water below and allowing long-term liquid water despite a cooling climate. This mechanism helps explain how liquid water persisted on early, colder Mars and supports the idea that habitable, water-bearing environments could endure even as the planet grew freezing, without requiring a globally warm Mars.

via Space|
#gale-crater#ice-lid#lakem2ars
"Extended Water Presence in Mars' Gale Crater Challenges Previous Assumptions"
space-science1 year ago

"Extended Water Presence in Mars' Gale Crater Challenges Previous Assumptions"

A study led by an international team of researchers has found evidence that water persisted in Mars' Gale crater for longer than previously thought, suggesting that the planet may have been habitable for a longer period of time. Using data from NASA's Curiosity rover, the researchers discovered deformed layers within desert sandstone, indicating the presence of water. These findings have implications for understanding Mars' changing climate and the search for signs of habitability, extending the timeline of water persisting in the region surrounding Gale crater and highlighting new avenues for exploration.

via Phys.org|
#curiosity-rover#gale-crater#mars
"NASA's Mars Exploration Turns Setbacks into Success with Sol 3940"
space-exploration2 years ago

"NASA's Mars Exploration Turns Setbacks into Success with Sol 3940"

NASA's Curiosity rover faced some challenges during its mission on Mars, with one wheel perched on a rock, making it unsafe to unstow the arm and perform contact science. However, the science team made the most of the situation by increasing targeted science observations and acquiring imaging of the Gediz Vallis ridge to understand its formation. They also examined an elongate resistant feature called "Olympia" and analyzed resistant bedrock with APXS. The team plans to continue documenting the immediate vicinity of the rover and will take a Navcam dust devil movie before driving away.

via NASA Mars Exploration|
#curiosity-rover#gale-crater#imaging
Seasonal Floods on Mars: A Promising Environment for Life Emergence
space2 years ago

Seasonal Floods on Mars: A Promising Environment for Life Emergence

The Mars rover Curiosity has discovered evidence of seasonal floods on Mars, indicating that at least one part of the planet went through wet/dry cycles. The rover found hundreds of hexagonal-shaped rock deposits in Gale Crater, dating back to Mars' wet Hesperian period. These hexagons, formed by mud drying out and creating cracks, suggest repeated flooding events. The chemistry of the rocks supports this, with deposits of calcium and magnesium sulfates indicating the presence of water. This new evidence helps scientists understand the past environment of Mars and its potential for supporting life.

via Ars Technica|
#gale-crater#mars#mars-rover
Curiosity's Decade-Long Journey on Mars Reaches New Heights
space-exploration2 years ago

Curiosity's Decade-Long Journey on Mars Reaches New Heights

NASA's Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012, is celebrating its 11th anniversary by continuing its climb up Mount Sharp in Gale Crater. The rover recently explored a region called Jau, known for its numerous impact craters, providing scientists with valuable insights into Mars' ancient history and the presence of liquid water. Despite facing challenging terrain, including steep slopes and large rocks, Curiosity's team of rover drivers and planners carefully navigate the rover's path using daily commands and imagery analysis. The rover has encountered faults along the way, but its safety protocols ensure it stops immediately when hazards are detected. With Jau behind it, Curiosity will continue its ascent up Mount Sharp, uncovering the secrets of Mars' red soil.

via NASASpaceflight.com|
#curiosity-rover#gale-crater#mars