Current location:politics >>
Curiosity mars rover begins studying "Vera Rubin Ridge"
politics3461People have gathered around
IntroductionAfter a journey of five years, Curiosity rover has begun its long-anticipated study of an iron-beari ...
After a journey of five years, Curiosity rover has begun its long-anticipated study of an iron-bearing ridge, informally named "Vera Rubin Ridge", forming a distinctive layer on the mountain's slope.
According to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Curiosity's science team said in its twitter on Wednesday that "I'm starting my investigation of hematite-bearing 'Vera Rubin Ridge' on #Mars."
Commemorating astronomer Vera Cooper Rubin (1928-2016), Curiosity's science team informally named the feature "Vera Rubin Ridge", which has been recognized as one of four unique terrains on lower Mount Sharp before Curiosity's landing five years ago and therefore a key mission destination.
According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, the car-size NASA rover is now near the downhill face of the ridge, which forms an impressive wall for much of the ridge's length of about 6.5 kilometers.
"Our Vera Rubin Ridge campaign has begun," Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada said in a statement. "Curiosity is driving parallel to the ridge, below it, observing it from different angles as we work our way toward a safe route to the top of the ridge."
Vera Rubin Ridge stands about eight stories tall, with a trough behind it where clay minerals await. A major appeal of the ridge is an iron-oxide mineral, hematite, which can form under wet conditions and reveal information about ancient environments of the red planet, according to NASA.
Studies of Mount Sharp with the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars, on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, identified hematite in the ridge and also mapped water-related clay and sulfate minerals in layers just above it.
Curiosity landed near Mount Sharp in the Gale Crater in August 2012 and reached the base of the mountain in 2014. It has since traversed through a diversity of environments where both water and wind have left their imprint.
The rover began to drive toward uphill destinations on Mount Sharp since its second two-year mission extension commenced on Oct. 1, 2016. The upcoming exploration provides opportunities to learn even more about the history and habitability of ancient Mars.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Stories news portal”。http://westernsahara.whetstonetavern.com/article-19e199925.html
Related articles
New Jersey seeks fourth round of offshore wind farm proposals as foes push back
politicsLONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey is seeking a new round of proposals to build wind energy ...
【politics】
Read morePakistan appoints Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie as cricket coaches
politicsLAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie to ...
【politics】
Read moreYanqing kicks off Chinese New Year celebration
politicsTourists try their hands at DIY cultural heritage handicrafts in Shixia village, Yanqing, Jan.7, 202 ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- WADA defends pick of Swiss prosecutor under scrutiny in review of Chinese swimmers case
- Beijing Central Axis: an exhibition of architectual beauty and a joy to behold at all times
- World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2024 to kick off in Beijing
- 'Ice city' sees booming tourism
- Walmart shutting down its 51 health care clinics, virtual care service
- Ice and snow festival opens in Beijing
Latest articles
‘Kraven the Hunter’ release delayed until December
Jiangsu edge Guangzhou to snap 17
Chinese vice premier urges intensified emergency rescue, flood response work
Scaloni: Messi key in decision to remain Argentina boss
Brazil soccer player Gabriel Barbosa cleared by CAS to play during appeal in doping rules case
Spring Festival spending highlights momentum of China's economy
LINKS
- Xi Says Dialogue Only Viable Way out for Ukraine Crisis
- Xi Replies to Letter from Central Asian Students at China University of Petroleum
- Xi Sends Greetings to Working People Nationwide Ahead of Int'l Workers' Day
- View of paddy fields in Guiyang, SW China's Guizhou
- Beautiful scenery of Mount Taishan, E China
- Xi Focus: Xi's Inspiring Words for Young People
- Tourists enjoy cherry blossoms in Wuhan
- View of paddy fields in Guiyang, SW China's Guizhou
- Mount Huangshan in E China, World Cultural and Natural Heritage
- A visit to Fuzhou: Don’t miss these sublime historical and cultural sites