Canadian instrument helps Curiosity discover Martian crystals
2024-09-23
In May 2024, while the Curiosity rover was exploring the rugged Martian terrain, it rolled over a rock that cracked open, revealing a surprising discovery: glimmering sulfur crystals. Something never seen before on the red planet!
These crystals are pure, elemental sulfur, which is unexpected on Mars. The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), Canada's contribution to Curiosity, played an important role in this discovery. Mounted on Curiosity's robotic arm, the Canadian instrument bombarded the sulfur with X-rays and alpha particles, revealing their true elemental nature.
Sulfur forms under very specific conditions, so finding it in pure, elemental form suggests Mars may have experienced environments we never imagined. This discovery adds another puzzle piece to the mystery of whether Mars could have supported life in its ancient past.
As Curiosity continues to climb Mount Sharp, a 5-kilometre-tall mountain that holds billions of years of Martian history, APXS will keep helping scientists unlock the mysteries of the red planet ? making discoveries that are as exciting as they are unexpected!
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