Curiosity Finding Shiny Particles In Mars Dirt
PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — Mars rover Curiosity has uncovered bright, shiny particles from a spot where it is collecting samples of dirt.
The rover is collecting Mars dirt in a sandy patch called "Rocknest," where the bright particles have been confirmed as being as Martian in origin, and not debris from the spacecraft, as was seen nearby previously, scientists said.
Last Thursday, Curiosity snapped a photo of a small, bright object on the ground beside the rover at the Rocknest site. The object, which was about half an inch long, was determined to be debris from the spacecraft, possibly from the landing.
Curiosity's scoop of dirt showed a light-toned particle embedded in a clod of soil. Scientists believe this particle to be Martian in origin and the discovery prompted them to continue scooping in the area.
Monday's scoop of dirt showed yet another bright particle in the small pit created when the rover collected another scoop of Martian soil. Scientists believe this particle to also be Martian in origin.
