NASA's Curiosity rover, which has been exploring Mars for over a decade, has captured an exciting new 360-degree panorama of the Gediz Vallis region. This sweeping view, released by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on Thursday, offers fresh insights into the Martian landscape and raises new questions about the planet's past.
The original author of this science news, Julian Dossett, posted it on Space.com on Thursday.
Curiosity has been climbing Mount Sharp, located in Gale Crater, since 2014. This mountain, rich in layers of rock and minerals, holds clues to Mars' ancient history. The rover recently crossed into the boulder-filled Gediz Vallis channel, a feature that some scientists believe may have once been shaped by water, while others suspect wind or landslides could have played a role in its formation.
The new panoramic images show surrounding landmarks like Kukenán Butte and Pinnacle Ridge, providing a stunning view of the rugged terrain. But it’s what Curiosity has found among the debris that has scientists particularly intrigued.
Among the boulders, the rover discovered unusual white sulphur stones. When Curiosity cracked one open, it revealed bright yellow sulphur crystals inside—an unexpected find on Mars. On Earth, sulphur typically forms in volcanic or hot spring environments, neither of which have been observed on Mars. This raises intriguing questions about how sulphur could exist on the Red Planet, with no clear explanation so far.
“We’ve gathered a lot of data, and now we have a fun puzzle to solve,” said Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist at JPL. The team is analysing the sulphur to better understand its origins, considering different possibilities, including ancient volcanic activity or chemical processes unique to Mars.
Curiosity’s exploration is far from over. The rover is now headed towards a formation known as "the boxwork"—a series of ridges that may have formed from minerals carried by water long ago. This area, first spotted in 2006, could provide more clues about the planet’s history and its potential to support life.
As Curiosity continues its journey, the data it sends back will help scientists piece together the complex history of Mars, shedding light on the processes that shaped its surface.
