Curiosity rover finds mysterious broad pits on Mars unlike anything seen before
NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered strange, shallow pits on Mount Sharp that differ markedly from previously observed Martian surface features.
What to know
- Curiosity rover discovered broad, shallow pits on Mars's Mount Sharp that differ significantly from previously observed surface features.
- The pits lack the typical objects or evidence of what created them, presenting a mystery for researchers.
- Chemical analysis revealed distinct layers within pit material, suggesting complex formation processes still under investigation.
- Researchers remain uncertain about how the pits formed, their age, and what they reveal about Mars's geological history.
“A broad pit that looks almost like a 'footprint' on Mars is unlike anything researchers have ever seen on the Red Planet.”
Space.com, Science reporting · Space.com ↗
Michelle Minitti Deputy principal investigator, Curiosity's Mars Hand Lens ImagerNASA Curiosity rover team Mars surface exploration
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Curiosity team conducts detailed analysis of pit features
Researchers collected extensive data on the pits using multiple Curiosity instruments including MAHLI, Mastcam, ChemCam, and APX. Analysis has revealed chemically distinct layers within the pit material that differ from the surrounding bedrock.
“Both of our workspaces this week contained features unlike quite anything we have seen in the past.”
— Curiosity team · source -
background
Curiosity rover identifies unusual broad pits on Mars — During observations on Mount Sharp, the Curiosity team discovered a series of broad, shallow pits scattered across Martian bedrock. These features are markedly different from typical pits and divots found on Mars, lacking the obvious objects that usually accompany such formations.
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