NASA’s Curiosity rover has captured its first close-up images of web-like “boxwork” features on the surface of Mars, providing clues about the Red Planet’s watery past and potential extraterrestrial life. The zig-zagging ridges, formed by ancient groundwater, could reveal more about Mars’ geological history.
The boxwork features, discovered on Mount Sharp in Gale Crater, are made up of criss-crossing ridges of mineral-rich rocks that have spanned up to 12 miles across. Researchers believe these structures were created when groundwater trickled through the rock and left behind minerals, hardening into resistant ridges.
The discovery was made possible by the rover’s advanced technology, which enabled it to capture high-resolution images of the features. The data collected from the site has also revealed veins of calcium sulfate, a salty mineral that is commonly associated with past water activity.
Scientists hope that studying boxwork up close will provide insights into Mars’ watery past and shed light on the potential for extraterrestrial life. The discovery could help answer questions about whether Mars once harbored early Earth microbes, which are believed to have thrived in environments similar to those found today.
The rover is currently exploring a patch of boxwork on Mount Sharp, where it has set out to study these unique features. Further analysis and discoveries from the site are expected to shed more light on the mysteries surrounding Mars’ watery past and potential life beyond Earth.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/mars/mars-rover-captures-first-close-up-photos-of-giant-spiderwebs-on-the-red-planet