NASA's Curiosity rover discovered an abundance of pure sulfur on Mars while exploring Gediz Vallis on May 30, 2024.
Pure sulfur crystals were found infused in many rocks across the region.
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA's Curiosity rover stumbled upon an abundance of pure sulfur on Mars while exploring Gediz Vallis, a channel winding down the slopes of Mount Sharp in the center of Gale Crater. The six-wheeled rover made this surprising find on May 30, 2024. Sulfur has been detected on Mars before, but only in a mixture with other minerals such as magnesium and calcium. However, the recent discovery revealed that pure sulfur crystals are infused in many rocks across the region.
Curiosity's project scientist Ashwin Vasavada of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory described this finding as an
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover discovered yellow sulfur crystals in a Martian rock after it drove over it and cracked it open.
Sulfur appears to be infused in many rocks across the region, suggesting an abundance of pure sulfur in the area.
Curiosity stumbled upon this discovery on May 30 while exploring Gediz Vallis, a channel winding down the slopes of Mount Sharp in the center of Gale Crater.
Mount Sharp would have been a lot wetter billions of years ago than it is today. The Gediz Vallis channel snaking through the mountain would have been carved as the planet began drying out, possibly by strong winds or even violent flows of liquid water.
Curiosity has identified signs of this history in mounds of debris scattered within the channel, with rocks sporting pale rings or halos near their edges caused by water-led chemical reactions.
A rock on Mars was accidentally cracked open by Curiosity rover, revealing yellow crystals of elemental sulfur (brimstone).
This is the first time sulfur has been found in its pure elemental form on Mars.
Curiosity project scientist Ashwin Vasavada called the discovery ‘an oasis in the desert’ and said it needs explanation as it shouldn’t be there.
Accuracy
The first time sulfur has been found in its pure elemental form on Mars.
Sulfur appears to be infused in many rocks across the region, suggesting an abundance of pure sulfur in the area.
Curiosity stumbled upon this discovery on May 30 while exploring Gediz Vallis, a channel winding down the slopes of Mount Sharp in the center of Gale Crater.
The rover has been studying Gediz Vallis for signs of ancient microbial life.
