NASA’s rover Curiosity, while roaming on Mars, climbed an ordinary rock. When this rover weighing 899 kg crushed that soft rock, yellow crystals came out from inside. These crystals were of pure sulfur (elemental sulphur), which is also called brimstone in common language.
Sulphates had been found on Mars before, but this is the first evidence of pure sulphur. This discovery is so surprising that scientists are now trying to understand it.
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Where was this treasure found?
This rock was found at a place called Geddes Valley Channel. This place is an old river channel on Mars, where water used to flow billions of years ago. When the rover was moving forward in this channel, it crushed this rock. Scientists noticed that there were many similar rocks lying around, which looked normal from outside but could contain pure sulfur inside. Curiosity Project scientist Ashwin Vasavada said that it is like finding an oasis in the desert. This should not have happened here, so now we have to find the reason.
What is the difference between sulphate and pure sulphur?
Sulphates are salts that are made from sulfur dissolved in water. When the water dries, these sulphates are left behind. Sulfates are very helpful in understanding the history of water on Mars. But very special conditions are required to form pure sulphur. Scientists do not see such conditions in this area. Still, such large pieces of sulfur are lying on the surface. This means that there is some huge mystery hidden in the geological history of Mars, which we do not yet know.
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Why is sulfur important for life?
Sulfur is an essential element for life. It is used in making two essential amino acids, which are necessary for the formation of proteins. Sulfates were already known on Mars, so this does not provide new information regarding the possibility of life. But still water, chemicals and things useful for life are being found again and again on Mars. This suggests that Mars may once have been suitable for life.
How did the rover discover and what’s next?
Curiosity has such powerful instruments that it can analyze rocks. But if the rover had not passed over that rock and crushed it, then perhaps pure sulfur would not have been detected for a long time. Now scientists are trying to understand by modeling how this sulfur reached there. Curiosity is still moving in the Geddes Valley Channel. Waiting for the next rocks. Perhaps even more surprising things will be found.
This discovery opens a new chapter in the direction of understanding Mars. Rovers like Curiosity are showing us that Mars is not just a red desert, but that it also has its own history of chemicals and minerals. Scientists are now busy solving the mystery of how such a large deposit of pure sulfur was formed there.
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