Post by Salem6 on Jan 27, 2004 17:58:36 GMT
Nasa scientists have discovered what might be the most compelling evidence yet of rocks formed in water on Mars.
The Opportunity rover has sent back pictures of rock slabs that appear to contain thin layers, say researchers.
The outcrop is a native of Meridiani Planum
On Earth, this feature is suggestive of sedimentary rocks that are the product of material deposited by water or wind.
The layers are as thin as a centimetre in places which indicates they are unlikely to be old lava flows, but Nasa cautioned further analysis was needed.
Mission scientist Dr Andrew Knoll said that if the rocks were in fact sedimentary and not volcanic, they were probably formed by water and not by wind-borne sediments.
But the rover will need to drive up to the rocks to examine them closely with its science instruments to rule out a volcanic origin.
Dr Knoll suggested the rocks could be very old, possibly in the order of billions of years.
Meanwhile, scientists said that Opportunity was losing some of its power and that a heater on the rover could be involved.
The Opportunity rover has sent back pictures of rock slabs that appear to contain thin layers, say researchers.
The outcrop is a native of Meridiani Planum
On Earth, this feature is suggestive of sedimentary rocks that are the product of material deposited by water or wind.
The layers are as thin as a centimetre in places which indicates they are unlikely to be old lava flows, but Nasa cautioned further analysis was needed.
Mission scientist Dr Andrew Knoll said that if the rocks were in fact sedimentary and not volcanic, they were probably formed by water and not by wind-borne sediments.
But the rover will need to drive up to the rocks to examine them closely with its science instruments to rule out a volcanic origin.
Dr Knoll suggested the rocks could be very old, possibly in the order of billions of years.
Meanwhile, scientists said that Opportunity was losing some of its power and that a heater on the rover could be involved.