An Unusual Vein of Deposited Rock on Mars
Image Credit:
Mars
Exploration Rover Mission,
NASA,
JPL,
Cornell;
Image Processing: Kenneth Kremer, Marco Di Lorenzo
What could create this unusual vein of rock on Mars?
A leading hypothesis is that
this thin rock layer dubbed "Homestake" was deposited by a running liquid -- like most
mineral veins are here on Earth.
And the
running liquid of choice is water.
Therefore, this mineral streak -- rich in calcium and sulfur -- is the latest in the growing body of evidence that part of
Mars had a watery past.
This, in turn, increases the speculation that
Mars was once hospitable to life.
Pictured above is a vista taken near the western rim of
Endeavour Crater by the
Opportunity rover currently exploring Mars.
The
inset image shows a close up of the recently discovered mineral vein.