Curiosity finds ancient stream bed on Mars
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Mosaic view of the Hottah outcropping (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
Map showing Curiosity's path on Mars and the three stream bed outcroppings (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)
Topographical image of Curiosity's exploration area showing the alluvial fan that carried gravel from Peace Vallis (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UofA)
Close up view of the Link outcropping (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
A comparison of the Link outcrop of rocks on Mars (left) with similar rocks on Earth (right) (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS and PSI)
This alluvial fan in the Atacama Desert, Chile is very similar to the outcropping on Mars (Photo: UC Berkeley)
Artist's concept of Curiosity showing its mast camera (Image: NASA)
Closeup of Curiosity's mast camera (Photo: NASA)
Article Summary
NASA’s unmanned Curiosity rover has found the most direct evidence to date that ancient Mars once had running water. The robot explorer discovered rock outcroppings thrusting from the Martian surface that are the remains of an ancient stream bed consisting of water-worn gravel that was washed down from the rim of Gale Crater where the nuclear-powered rover landed. This means that Mars was once a much wetter place and increases the chances that it once harbored life ... or still does.
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