In its exploration of Mars' arid surface, NASA's Curiosity rover has made yet another intriguing finding.
This time, an ultra-high resolution picture patched together
from 19 separate photographs obtained by the rover on January 28 reveals what
looks to be an iron-nickel meteorite known as Cacao. Cacao is about a foot
wide.
A sulfate-bearing section of Mount Sharp on the Red Planet,
the strange object's stunning silver metallic tint sticks out like a sore thumb
amid the surrounding, rust-colored environment.
According to the rover's official Twitter feed, the
meteorite is "Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock. METEORITE!" "It's
not uncommon to find meteorites on Mars — in fact, I've done it a few times!
But a change in scenery's always nice."
Curiosity, which has been exploring the surface of Mars for
more than ten years, isn't prepared to collect a sample from Cacao and bring it
back to Earth. Its companion Perseverance, the only other functioning rover now
roving the surface of Mars, has been diligently collecting samples of Martian
rock and soil, and that is one of its key goals.
Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock. METEORITE!
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) February 2, 2023
It's not uncommon to find meteorites on Mars - in fact, I've done it a few times! (see 🧵) But a change in scenery's always nice.
This one's about a foot wide and made of iron-nickel. We're calling it "Cacao." pic.twitter.com/I37HiGjN2t
The meteorite might potentially help researchers learn more
about the history of the Red Planet and whether or not it has ever supported
life. Despite the planet's scant atmosphere, the scars and indentations on
Cacao's surface were probably created when it passed through the atmosphere,
according to Universe Today.
Iron nickel meteorites are among the rarest types of
meteorites and have a decent possibility of making it through the atmospheres
of either Mars or Earth.
However, the amount of information the scientists can get
about Curiosity's most recent discovery is limited.
"There’s no way to date these," the team admitted
in a Twitter reply. "But it could have been here millions of years!"