<p>Researchers from Columbia University in the United States have identified the specific area in the brain where curiosity originates. The finding reveals new light on the intrinsic human drive to learn and adapt to new environments.</p>

<p>The researchers utilised functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor oxygen levels in various brain regions, a method that reveals how active each area is at a given time. This way, the scientists pinpointed the neural basis of curiosity for the first time.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The humanity's understanding of where curiosity stems from could provide deeper insights into human behaviour and potentially lead to new therapies for conditions marked by a lack of curiosity, such as chronic depression.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Chinese scientists develop robot with lab-grown human brain</strong></p>

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<p>"This is really the first time we can link the subjective feeling of curiosity about information to the way your brain represents that information," neuroscientist Jacqueline Gottlieb said in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>Curiosity area in brain: How scientists pinpointed this?</strong></h2>

<p>During their study, the researchers presented 32 participants with texforms, which are images of familiar objects and animals—like hats or frogs—that have been distorted to varying degrees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The participants were then asked to rate their confidence and curiosity in identifying the subjects of these images.</p>

<p>By comparing these ratings with fMRI data, the researchers observed significant activity in three key brain regions: the occipitotemporal cortex (associated with vision and object recognition), the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which is involved in assessing value and confidence, and the anterior cingulate cortex (responsible for information gathering).</p>

<p>The vmPFC, in particular, seems to function as a neural bridge. This area links the levels of certainty recorded by the occipitotemporal cortex with the subjective experience of curiosity. Essentially, it acts as a trigger that prompts curiosity when confidence in identifying an image is low. The researchers noted that the less confident participants were about an image's subject, the more curious they became.</p>

<p>"These results illuminate how perceptual input is transformed by successive neural representations to ultimately evoke a feeling of curiosity," the researchers wrote in their published paper.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/robot-trained-to-read-braille-at-2x-speed-of-humans-wion-tech-it-out-686839">Robot trained to read braille at 2x speed of humans</a></strong></p>

<p>The full research findings have been published in the Journal of Neuroscience.</p>

<h2><strong>Importance of curiosity in humanity's functioning</strong></h2>

<p>Curiosity is a fundamental aspect of being human, essential for our survival and ability to learn and absorb new information. It may even play a role in driving biodiversity. "Curiosity has deep biological origins," Gottlieb noted. "What distinguishes human curiosity is that it drives us to explore much more broadly than other animals, and often just because we want to find things out, not because we are seeking a material reward or survival benefit."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Researchers from Columbia University in the United States have identified the specific area in the brain where curiosity originates. The finding reveals new light on the intrinsic human drive to learn and adapt to new environments.

Researchers from Columbia University in the United States have identified the specific area in the brain where curiosity originates. The finding reveals new light on the intrinsic human drive to learn and adapt to new environments. The researchers utilised functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor oxygen levels in various brain regions, a method that reveals how active each area is at a given time. This way, the scientists pinpointed the neural basis of curiosity for the first time. What does it mean? The humanity's understanding of where curiosity stems from could provide deeper insights into human behaviour and potentially lead to new therapies for conditions marked by a lack of curiosity, such as chronic depression. Also watch | Gravitas: Chinese scientists develop robot with lab-grown human brain × "This is really the first time we can link the subjective feeling of curiosity about information to the way your brain represents that information," neuroscientist Jacqueline Gottlieb said in a statement. Curiosity area in brain: How scientists pinpointed this? During their study, the researchers presented 32 participants with texforms, which are images of familiar objects and animals—like hats or frogs—that have been distorted to varying degrees. The participants were then asked to rate their confidence and curiosity in identifying the subjects of these images. By comparing these ratings with fMRI data, the researchers observed significant activity in three key brain regions: the occipitotemporal cortex (associated with vision and object recognition), the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which is involved in assessing value and confidence, and the anterior cingulate cortex (responsible for information gathering). The vmPFC, in particular, seems to function as a neural bridge. This area links the levels of certainty recorded by the occipitotemporal cortex with the subjective experience of curiosity. Essentially, it acts as a trigger that prompts curiosity when confidence in identifying an image is low. The researchers noted that the less confident participants were about an image's subject, the more curious they became. "These results illuminate how perceptual input is transformed by successive neural representations to ultimately evoke a feeling of curiosity," the researchers wrote in their published paper. Also read | Robot trained to read braille at 2x speed of humans The full research findings have been published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Importance of curiosity in humanity's functioning Curiosity is a fundamental aspect of being human, essential for our survival and ability to learn and absorb new information. It may even play a role in driving biodiversity. "Curiosity has deep biological origins," Gottlieb noted. "What distinguishes human curiosity is that it drives us to explore much more broadly than other animals, and often just because we want to find things out, not because we are seeking a material reward or survival benefit." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists pinpoint brain area responsible for curiosity

<p>Humanity has come a long way from considering Mars a god and even a pesky annoyance on horoscope to actually sending rovers there to study the red planet. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has for decades sents multiple rovers. Curiosity is in one of these rovers that are still on the Martian surface and sending invaluable pictures and videos back to Earth.</p>

<p>And the Martian 'Dawn to Dusk' video has become talk of the town now. Curiosity rover has captured a time-lapse video that shows the passage of time on a Martian day or 'Sol' as it is called. The silhouette of the rover is visible as well.</p>

<p>NASA has said that Curiosity's Hazard-Avoidance Cameras detection cameras or Hazcams have been used to record the time-lapse video.</p>

<p>The video was shot on November 8, which was the 4002nd Martian Day, or sol.</p>

<p>The Hazcams are usually used to detect any obstacles in Curiosity's path and seldom for anything else. Obstacles like big rocks, slopes and so on may hinder the rover's movement or it can even be a safety issue.</p>

<p>But Hazcams were used to make this video as Curiosity's operations are temporarily being scaled-down in light of Mars solar conjunction.</p>

<p>Check out the video</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey look – I’m a sundial!<br />
<br />
Ok, not exactly, but I did get a sol to enjoy my surroundings. During solar conjunction, I used my hazard cameras to study the Martian weather and dust.<br />
<br />
As this Earth year comes to an end, I hope you’ll take the time to soak in what’s around you. <a href="https://t.co/eCQAcVtT1L">pic.twitter.com/eCQAcVtT1L</a></p>
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/status/1740418956010406302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mars solar conjunction is a period when the Sun is between Mars and the Earth. Since solar plasma can interfere with radio communication between the rover and the Earth. Issuing fresh commands to the rover is temporarily stopped for several weeks.</p>

<p>The 'dawn to dusk' video was part of last few commands given before the conjunction.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-creates-roadmap-for-robots-to-visit-icy-moons-with-water-oceans-674692">NASA moving forward with plans to get robots to drill into icy moons of other planets</a></strong></p>

<p>The interesting bit is, that it was not the intention of the scientists to make a dawn-to-dusk video. The intention was to capture the Martian weather.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/massive-devil-comet-with-horns-set-to-blow-tomorrow-say-scientists-674687">Massive 'devil comet' with horns set for another eruption soon, say scientists</a></strong></p>

<p>However, in this particular video, scientists did not see any notable weather phenomenon in the Martian atmosphere. But it made for an interesting watch nonetheless.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Humanity has come a long way from considering Mars a god and even a pesky annoyance on horoscope to actually sending rovers there to study the red planet. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has for decades sents multiple rovers.

Humanity has come a long way from considering Mars a god and even a pesky annoyance on horoscope to actually sending rovers there to study the red planet. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has for decades sents multiple rovers. Curiosity is in one of these rovers that are still on the Martian surface and sending invaluable pictures and videos back to Earth. And the Martian 'Dawn to Dusk' video has become talk of the town now. Curiosity rover has captured a time-lapse video that shows the passage of time on a Martian day or 'Sol' as it is called. The silhouette of the rover is visible as well. NASA has said that Curiosity's Hazard-Avoidance Cameras detection cameras or Hazcams have been used to record the time-lapse video. The video was shot on November 8, which was the 4002nd Martian Day, or sol. The Hazcams are usually used to detect any obstacles in Curiosity's path and seldom for anything else. Obstacles like big rocks, slopes and so on may hinder the rover's movement or it can even be a safety issue. But Hazcams were used to make this video as Curiosity's operations are temporarily being scaled-down in light of Mars solar conjunction. Check out the video Hey look – I’m a sundial! Ok, not exactly, but I did get a sol to enjoy my surroundings. During solar conjunction, I used my hazard cameras to study the Martian weather and dust. As this Earth year comes to an end, I hope you’ll take the time to soak in what’s around you. pic.twitter.com/eCQAcVtT1L — Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) December 28, 2023 × Mars solar conjunction is a period when the Sun is between Mars and the Earth. Since solar plasma can interfere with radio communication between the rover and the Earth. Issuing fresh commands to the rover is temporarily stopped for several weeks. The 'dawn to dusk' video was part of last few commands given before the conjunction. Also Read | NASA moving forward with plans to get robots to drill into icy moons of other planets The interesting bit is, that it was not the intention of the scientists to make a dawn-to-dusk video. The intention was to capture the Martian weather. Also Read | Massive 'devil comet' with horns set for another eruption soon, say scientists However, in this particular video, scientists did not see any notable weather phenomenon in the Martian atmosphere. But it made for an interesting watch nonetheless. (With inputs from agencies)

Curiosity rover records a Martian day from dawn to dusk in breathtaking video

<p>We all know that NASA Curiosity rover is carefully trudging the surface of the Red Planet making observations and collecting samples. What good is a sample if it can't be analysed to see if it reveals some fascinating new thing about our neighbouring planet? But for this analysis, the sample must be brought to Earth. And NASA is going for an 'amusement park' approach to get the precious cargo back to Earth.</p>

<p>Enter NASA's 'Mars Sample Return Mission' which it will carry out with the European Space Agency (ESA).</p>

<p>The mission will be launched to bring Martian samples back to Earth. But it will not be as easy as firing a rocket from here and just picking up sample to bring it back home. It will be a multi-step process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Mars Sample Return Mission will be historic as it will involve&nbsp;lifting off of a rocket from another planet for the first time in history of our space-faring endeavours!</p>

<p>So here's how things will unfold.</p>

<p>A spacecraft named 'Sample Retrieval Lander' (SRL) will lift off from Earth and travel all the way to Mars. It will make a careful landing on the planet's surface. The SRL will carry with it another rocket named Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars</strong></p>

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<p>After landing on Mars, the Martian samples collected by Curiosity rover will be loaded onto MAV, which will then get ready for a launch.</p>

<h2><strong>So what's the 'amusement park' bit?</strong></h2>

<p>Since we have never carried out a lift-off from the surface of another planet, we do not know 100 per cent what will happen during a lift-off from Mars. But scientists certainly have an idea about the obstacles in this path.</p>

<p>Unlike Earth, Mars does not have a launchpad which provides flat surface for a rocket to lift off. And when a rocket lifts off, it exerts crazy amount of force on the ground beneath it. Launchpads on Earth are designed to withstand this unimaginable force.</p>

<p>But loose Martian soil is unlikely to withstand the giant force and may cave in during the lift-off of a rocket from its surface. The fuel blast may also hurl up rocks which may damage the rocket before it gets a chance to lift off.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/evidence-of-life-on-mars-hiding-in-ancient-mud-lake-research-suggests-so-649647">Evidence of life on Mars hiding in ancient mud lake? Research suggests so</a></strong></p>

<p>It is because of this the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), after it is loaded with Martian samples, will be 'tossed' up in Martian air by the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL). When the MAV is in the air and before it crashes back to the ground due to Mars' gravity, it will fire its thrusters and set off for the Martian sky! The manoeuvre is sure to be tricky.</p>

<p>In amusement parks, we have come across attractions that toss us up in the sky and make us question our life choices, even when the safety wires bring you down, albeit almost at the speed of a free-fall.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/will-devil-comet-hurtling-towards-earth-bring-devastation-heres-what-scientists-suggest-649879">Will 'Devil Comet' hurtling towards Earth bring devastation? Here's what scientists suggest</a></strong></p>

<p>The manoeuvre of the MAV is similar, it's just that it will not come back down towards the surface, but will fire engines and lift-off.</p>

<p>When it reaches the Martian orbit, it will hand over the sample to the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) which would already be orbiting Mars. The ERO will then hed towards Earth, with the precious samples collected on the surface of the Red Planet.</p>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

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We all know that NASA Curiosity rover is carefully trudging the surface of the Red Planet making observations and collecting samples. What good is a sample if it can't be analysed to see if it reveals some fascinating new thing about our neighbouring planet?

We all know that NASA Curiosity rover is carefully trudging the surface of the Red Planet making observations and collecting samples. What good is a sample if it can't be analysed to see if it reveals some fascinating new thing about our neighbouring planet? But for this analysis, the sample must be brought to Earth. And NASA is going for an 'amusement park' approach to get the precious cargo back to Earth. Enter NASA's 'Mars Sample Return Mission' which it will carry out with the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission will be launched to bring Martian samples back to Earth. But it will not be as easy as firing a rocket from here and just picking up sample to bring it back home. It will be a multi-step process. The Mars Sample Return Mission will be historic as it will involve lifting off of a rocket from another planet for the first time in history of our space-faring endeavours! So here's how things will unfold. A spacecraft named 'Sample Retrieval Lander' (SRL) will lift off from Earth and travel all the way to Mars. It will make a careful landing on the planet's surface. The SRL will carry with it another rocket named Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). Watch | Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × After landing on Mars, the Martian samples collected by Curiosity rover will be loaded onto MAV, which will then get ready for a launch. So what's the 'amusement park' bit? Since we have never carried out a lift-off from the surface of another planet, we do not know 100 per cent what will happen during a lift-off from Mars. But scientists certainly have an idea about the obstacles in this path. Unlike Earth, Mars does not have a launchpad which provides flat surface for a rocket to lift off. And when a rocket lifts off, it exerts crazy amount of force on the ground beneath it. Launchpads on Earth are designed to withstand this unimaginable force. But loose Martian soil is unlikely to withstand the giant force and may cave in during the lift-off of a rocket from its surface. The fuel blast may also hurl up rocks which may damage the rocket before it gets a chance to lift off. Also Read | Evidence of life on Mars hiding in ancient mud lake? Research suggests so It is because of this the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), after it is loaded with Martian samples, will be 'tossed' up in Martian air by the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL). When the MAV is in the air and before it crashes back to the ground due to Mars' gravity, it will fire its thrusters and set off for the Martian sky! The manoeuvre is sure to be tricky. In amusement parks, we have come across attractions that toss us up in the sky and make us question our life choices, even when the safety wires bring you down, albeit almost at the speed of a free-fall. Also Read | Will 'Devil Comet' hurtling towards Earth bring devastation? Here's what scientists suggest The manoeuvre of the MAV is similar, it's just that it will not come back down towards the surface, but will fire engines and lift-off. When it reaches the Martian orbit, it will hand over the sample to the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) which would already be orbiting Mars. The ERO will then hed towards Earth, with the precious samples collected on the surface of the Red Planet. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Rocket from Mars to Earth? NASA's 'amusement park' approach to return red planet samples

<p>In a marvellous capture, NASA's Curiosity rover has for the first time clicked the "sun rays" on Mars, the agency stated.</p>

<p>NASA said that the footage was captured on February 2 and showed the sun rays spread in the planet's atmosphere during the sunset. NASA stated that this is the first time they have captured the sun rays so clearly.</p>

<p><img alt="clouds" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="41697769-317a-4867-bee8-654dae14bcfc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-03-08T054225.643.png" /></p>

<p>NASA took to Twitter to share a glimpse of the scenes captured by the rover. In the photo, patches of red and green light fill the grey sky on the rocky black landscape. The view was captured by the rover as the sun illuminated the cumulous clouds while descending over the horizon.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Martian sunsets are moody.<br />
<br />
However, last month <a href="https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarsCuriosity</a> captured a different kind of sunset on the planet. Rays of light illuminated a bank of clouds, making it the first time sun rays have been so clearly viewed on Mars: <a href="https://t.co/HhKa0IAWWv">https://t.co/HhKa0IAWWv</a> <a href="https://t.co/iToToqaQmb">pic.twitter.com/iToToqaQmb</a></p>
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAJPL/status/1632837173358788608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The “sun rays” captured are also called crepuscular rays, which is derived from the Latin word for “twilight”. The Martian rover captured the image while conducting the twilight cloud survey. The image will add to its 2021 observations of noctilucent, or night-shining clouds.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-curiosity-rover-discovers-wave-rippled-rocks-on-mars-560282">NASA's Curiosity rover discovers wave-rippled rocks on Mars</a></p>

<p>It was believed that the clouds are present 60 kilometres above the ground on Mars and are made of water ice. However, the latest images show the clouds hovering at a higher altitude, where it is really cold.</p>

<p>“Where we see iridescence, it means a cloud’s particle sizes are identical to their neighbours in each part of the cloud. By looking at colour transitions, we’re seeing particle size changing across the cloud. That tells us about the way the cloud is evolving and how its particles are changing size over time,” said Mark Lemmon, an atmospheric scientist, in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas: The Earth has a hidden layer. Here's what it's called</strong></p>

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<p>A set of colourful clouds, in the shape of a feather, was also captured by the rover on January 27. When sunlight will illuminate the clouds, a few of them will create a rainbow-like display called iridescence.</p>

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In a marvellous capture, NASA's Curiosity rover has for the first time clicked the "sun rays" on Mars, the agency stated. NASA said that the footage was captured on February 2 and showed the sun rays spread in the planet's atmosphere during the sunset.

In a marvellous capture, NASA's Curiosity rover has for the first time clicked the "sun rays" on Mars, the agency stated. NASA said that the footage was captured on February 2 and showed the sun rays spread in the planet's atmosphere during the sunset. NASA stated that this is the first time they have captured the sun rays so clearly. NASA took to Twitter to share a glimpse of the scenes captured by the rover. In the photo, patches of red and green light fill the grey sky on the rocky black landscape. The view was captured by the rover as the sun illuminated the cumulous clouds while descending over the horizon. Martian sunsets are moody. However, last month @MarsCuriosity captured a different kind of sunset on the planet. Rays of light illuminated a bank of clouds, making it the first time sun rays have been so clearly viewed on Mars: https://t.co/HhKa0IAWWv pic.twitter.com/iToToqaQmb — NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) March 6, 2023 × The “sun rays” captured are also called crepuscular rays, which is derived from the Latin word for “twilight”. The Martian rover captured the image while conducting the twilight cloud survey. The image will add to its 2021 observations of noctilucent, or night-shining clouds. ALSO READ | NASA's Curiosity rover discovers wave-rippled rocks on Mars It was believed that the clouds are present 60 kilometres above the ground on Mars and are made of water ice. However, the latest images show the clouds hovering at a higher altitude, where it is really cold. “Where we see iridescence, it means a cloud’s particle sizes are identical to their neighbours in each part of the cloud. By looking at colour transitions, we’re seeing particle size changing across the cloud. That tells us about the way the cloud is evolving and how its particles are changing size over time,” said Mark Lemmon, an atmospheric scientist, in a statement. WATCH | Gravitas: The Earth has a hidden layer. Here's what it's called A set of colourful clouds, in the shape of a feather, was also captured by the rover on January 27. When sunlight will illuminate the clouds, a few of them will create a rainbow-like display called iridescence. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

A Martian Aurora? NASA's Curiosity captures heavenly sun rays on Mars

<p>The Curiosity rover of NASA discovered wave-rippled rocks on planet Mars, which is evidence of the presence of an ancient lake, in a comparatively dry area, said the US space agency on Wednesday.&nbsp;"This is the best evidence of water and waves that we've seen in the entire mission," stated Ashwin Vasavada, who works as Curiosity's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.</p>

<p>The rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2012, sent stunning pictures of rocks' surfaces covered with rippled patterns which seemed to have been created by the waves of a shallow lake almost billions of years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-webb-gets-photobombed-by-a-colosseum-sized-asteroid-559500/amp">NASA's Webb gets 'photobombed' by a Colosseum-sized asteroid</a></p>

<ul>
</ul>

<p>The evidence that once parts of Mars were covered by lakes was previously discovered by Curiosity in the salty minerals that it left behind when the area dried up.</p>

<p>However, the scientists at NASA were surprised to discover such stark evidence of the presence of water in the Gale Crater, which is now being explored by the rover.</p>

<p>"We've climbed through many lake deposits during our mission but have never seen wave ripples this clearly. This was especially surprising because the area we're in probably formed at a time when Mars was becoming more dry," said Vasavada, in a statement.</p>

<p>The foothills of a three-mile (five-kilometre) tall mountain, which is called Mount Sharp, are being explored by the Curiosity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA stated that debris was also spotted by the rover in the valley, which the wet landslides on Mount Sharp had washed down.</p>

<p>"This landslide debris is probably the most recent evidence of water that we'll ever see. It will allow us to study layers higher up on Mount Sharp that we can't reach," Vasavada said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence</strong></p>

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<p>NASA stated that a sort of "Martian timeline" has been provided by Mount Sharp to scientists with the presence of the oldest layers at the bottom and the youngest at the top.</p>

<p>This allows them to "study how Mars evolved from a planet that was more Earth-like in its ancient past, with a warmer climate and plentiful water, to the freezing desert it is today," it stated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Curiosity rover of NASA discovered wave-rippled rocks on planet Mars, which is evidence of the presence of an ancient lake, in a comparatively dry area, said the US space agency on Wednesday.

The Curiosity rover of NASA discovered wave-rippled rocks on planet Mars, which is evidence of the presence of an ancient lake, in a comparatively dry area, said the US space agency on Wednesday. "This is the best evidence of water and waves that we've seen in the entire mission," stated Ashwin Vasavada, who works as Curiosity's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2012, sent stunning pictures of rocks' surfaces covered with rippled patterns which seemed to have been created by the waves of a shallow lake almost billions of years ago. ALSO READ | NASA's Webb gets 'photobombed' by a Colosseum-sized asteroid The evidence that once parts of Mars were covered by lakes was previously discovered by Curiosity in the salty minerals that it left behind when the area dried up. However, the scientists at NASA were surprised to discover such stark evidence of the presence of water in the Gale Crater, which is now being explored by the rover. "We've climbed through many lake deposits during our mission but have never seen wave ripples this clearly. This was especially surprising because the area we're in probably formed at a time when Mars was becoming more dry," said Vasavada, in a statement. The foothills of a three-mile (five-kilometre) tall mountain, which is called Mount Sharp, are being explored by the Curiosity. NASA stated that debris was also spotted by the rover in the valley, which the wet landslides on Mount Sharp had washed down. "This landslide debris is probably the most recent evidence of water that we'll ever see. It will allow us to study layers higher up on Mount Sharp that we can't reach," Vasavada said. WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence NASA stated that a sort of "Martian timeline" has been provided by Mount Sharp to scientists with the presence of the oldest layers at the bottom and the youngest at the top. This allows them to "study how Mars evolved from a planet that was more Earth-like in its ancient past, with a warmer climate and plentiful water, to the freezing desert it is today," it stated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA's Curiosity rover discovers wave-rippled rocks on Mars

<p>Clouds are an everyday matter here on Earth. There are times we glance at the sky and imagine all sorts of shapes in those ever-changing patterns of vapour. But most of the time we are too busy in our daily lives to even take a second to look up and marvel the beauty of the sky.</p>

<p>We don't realise how lucky we are because our planet has clouds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But now NASA's Curiosity rover has captured some brilliant images and videos of clouds in the Martian sky!</p>

<p>Mars has an atmosphere yes. But it is too thin and dry to enable cloud formation on regular basis. And that's why formation of clouds in Martian atmosphere is a rare thing itself.</p>

<p>"Sometimes you just need to stop and watch the clouds roll by... on Mars. Cloudy days are rare here because the atmosphere is so thin and dry, but I've been keeping my cameras peeled and wanted to share some recent pictures with you," tweeted the rover's official Twitter handle, thus starting an incredible thread. Check this out</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sometimes you just need to stop and watch the clouds roll by... on Mars.<br />
<br />
Cloudy days are rare here because the atmosphere is so thin and dry, but I've been keeping my cameras peeled and wanted to share some recent pictures with you. <a href="https://t.co/Gtgz9Iu822">https://t.co/Gtgz9Iu822</a> (1/4) <a href="https://t.co/iJOLmnXMVo">pic.twitter.com/iJOLmnXMVo</a></p>
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/status/1398336271106281472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Thousands of likes on the post is enough to say that people have found the images and videos in the thread above absolutely mesmerising!</p>

<p>There are many many comments and Curiosity Rover's handle took time to answer some of the questions and reply to some of the comments.</p>

<p>"Sometimes I forget there's a little robot rolling around alone on Mars," tweeted a user.</p>

<p>The rover said, "I'm alone here in Gale Crater, but I'm not lonely. I get to talk to all my friends and teammates back on Earth through the Deep Space Network..."</p>

<p>Mars has long captivated human imagination. Across millennia, the red planet has gone from being a mythical God of War to a probable place to find life.</p>

<p>And from what Curiosity rover has captured, the planet still has some secrets up its sleeve.</p>


Clouds are an everyday matter here on Earth. There are times we glance at the sky and imagine all sorts of shapes in those ever-changing patterns of vapour. But most of the time we are too busy in our daily lives to even take a second to look up and marvel the beauty of the sky.

Clouds are an everyday matter here on Earth. There are times we glance at the sky and imagine all sorts of shapes in those ever-changing patterns of vapour. But most of the time we are too busy in our daily lives to even take a second to look up and marvel the beauty of the sky. We don't realise how lucky we are because our planet has clouds. But now NASA's Curiosity rover has captured some brilliant images and videos of clouds in the Martian sky! Mars has an atmosphere yes. But it is too thin and dry to enable cloud formation on regular basis. And that's why formation of clouds in Martian atmosphere is a rare thing itself. "Sometimes you just need to stop and watch the clouds roll by... on Mars. Cloudy days are rare here because the atmosphere is so thin and dry, but I've been keeping my cameras peeled and wanted to share some recent pictures with you," tweeted the rover's official Twitter handle, thus starting an incredible thread. Check this out Sometimes you just need to stop and watch the clouds roll by... on Mars. Cloudy days are rare here because the atmosphere is so thin and dry, but I've been keeping my cameras peeled and wanted to share some recent pictures with you. https://t.co/Gtgz9Iu822 (1/4) pic.twitter.com/iJOLmnXMVo — Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) May 28, 2021 × Thousands of likes on the post is enough to say that people have found the images and videos in the thread above absolutely mesmerising! There are many many comments and Curiosity Rover's handle took time to answer some of the questions and reply to some of the comments. "Sometimes I forget there's a little robot rolling around alone on Mars," tweeted a user. The rover said, "I'm alone here in Gale Crater, but I'm not lonely. I get to talk to all my friends and teammates back on Earth through the Deep Space Network..." Mars has long captivated human imagination. Across millennia, the red planet has gone from being a mythical God of War to a probable place to find life. And from what Curiosity rover has captured, the planet still has some secrets up its sleeve.

NASA's Curiosity Rover clicks rare shiny clouds on Mars

<p>It has not been long since it landed in Mars, but NASA's rover Perseverance is making its presence felt in the Red Planet by sharing never-seen-before images.</p>

<p>And now it's selfie time for Perseverance as it shared its own photograph on Mars on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US space agency said that the image was captured using a camera called WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and Engineering), part of the SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals) instrument.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Two bots, one selfie. Greetings from Jezero Crater, where I’ve taken my first selfie of the mission. I’m also watching the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarsHelicopter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarsHelicopter</a> Ingenuity as it gets ready for its first flight in a few days. Daring mighty things indeed.<br />
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Images: <a href="https://t.co/owLX2LaK52">https://t.co/owLX2LaK52</a> <a href="https://t.co/rTxDNK69rs">pic.twitter.com/rTxDNK69rs</a></p>
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere/status/1379883959006363648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Helicopter Ingenuity was also seen in the image which is a combination of 62 individual photographs clicked while the rover was alternatively looking at the helicopter and at the WATSON camera.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the predecessor of Perseverance, nicknamed Percy, Curiosity doesn't want to stay behind and is sending selfies of its own.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Curiosity took a panoramic image of itself and the surrounding landscape on March 26, which also showed a rocky outcrop known as Mont Mercou.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-nasas-perseverance-rover-just-capture-a-rainbow-on-mars-image-inside-375618">Did NASA's Perseverance rover just capture a 'rainbow' on Mars? Image inside!</a></strong></p>

<p>From the image, it can be seen severe dust accumulated as the rover is on Mars for eight and a half years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Curiosity and Perseverance are powered by the radioactive decay of plutonium, which can keep them running amid raging dust storms in the Red Planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


It has not been long since it landed in Mars, but NASA's rover Perseverance is making its presence felt in the Red Planet by sharing never-seen-before images. And now it's selfie time for Perseverance as it shared its own photograph on Mars on Tuesday.

It has not been long since it landed in Mars, but NASA's rover Perseverance is making its presence felt in the Red Planet by sharing never-seen-before images. And now it's selfie time for Perseverance as it shared its own photograph on Mars on Tuesday. The US space agency said that the image was captured using a camera called WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and Engineering), part of the SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals) instrument. Two bots, one selfie. Greetings from Jezero Crater, where I’ve taken my first selfie of the mission. I’m also watching the #MarsHelicopter Ingenuity as it gets ready for its first flight in a few days. Daring mighty things indeed. Images: https://t.co/owLX2LaK52 pic.twitter.com/rTxDNK69rs — NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) April 7, 2021 × Helicopter Ingenuity was also seen in the image which is a combination of 62 individual photographs clicked while the rover was alternatively looking at the helicopter and at the WATSON camera. Meanwhile, the predecessor of Perseverance, nicknamed Percy, Curiosity doesn't want to stay behind and is sending selfies of its own. Curiosity took a panoramic image of itself and the surrounding landscape on March 26, which also showed a rocky outcrop known as Mont Mercou. Also read | Did NASA's Perseverance rover just capture a 'rainbow' on Mars? Image inside! From the image, it can be seen severe dust accumulated as the rover is on Mars for eight and a half years. Curiosity and Perseverance are powered by the radioactive decay of plutonium, which can keep them running amid raging dust storms in the Red Planet.

'Say Cheese' time for Perseverance as Mars rover sends stunning selfie with helicopter

<p>The team of scientists and engineers behind NASA’s Curiosity rover has named a hill along the rover’s path on Mars in honour of recently deceased mission scientist Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez.</p>

<p>A craggy hump that stretches 120 meters tall, ‘Rafael Navarro Mountain’ is located on Mount Sharp in northwest Gale Crater, NASA said on Monday.</p>

<p>Navarro-Gonzalez died on January 28 from complications related to Covid-19.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A leading astrobiologist in Mexico, he was a co-investigator on the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), a portable chemistry lab aboard Curiosity that has been sniffing out the chemical makeup of Martian soil, rocks, and air.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As such, he helped lead the team that identified ancient organic compounds on Mars; his many accomplishments also included identifying the role of volcanic lightning in the origin of life on Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Navarro-Gonzalez was a researcher at Nuclear Sciences Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City.</p>

<p>"We are truly honoured to have a prominent hill named after our dad; it’s his and our dream come true to see this happen," wrote Navarro-Gonzalez’s children, Rafael and Karina Navarro Aceves, in a statement to NASA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rafael Navarro Mountain sits at a major geological transition in Gale Crater from a clay-rich region to one that is rich in sulfate minerals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Analysing sulfate minerals may help scientists better understand the major shift in the Martian climate from wetter to drier conditions, according to Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The team of scientists and engineers behind NASA’s Curiosity rover has named a hill along the rover’s path on Mars in honour of recently deceased mission scientist Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez.

The team of scientists and engineers behind NASA’s Curiosity rover has named a hill along the rover’s path on Mars in honour of recently deceased mission scientist Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez. A craggy hump that stretches 120 meters tall, ‘Rafael Navarro Mountain’ is located on Mount Sharp in northwest Gale Crater, NASA said on Monday. Navarro-Gonzalez died on January 28 from complications related to Covid-19. A leading astrobiologist in Mexico, he was a co-investigator on the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), a portable chemistry lab aboard Curiosity that has been sniffing out the chemical makeup of Martian soil, rocks, and air. As such, he helped lead the team that identified ancient organic compounds on Mars; his many accomplishments also included identifying the role of volcanic lightning in the origin of life on Earth. Navarro-Gonzalez was a researcher at Nuclear Sciences Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City. "We are truly honoured to have a prominent hill named after our dad; it’s his and our dream come true to see this happen," wrote Navarro-Gonzalez’s children, Rafael and Karina Navarro Aceves, in a statement to NASA. Rafael Navarro Mountain sits at a major geological transition in Gale Crater from a clay-rich region to one that is rich in sulfate minerals. Analysing sulfate minerals may help scientists better understand the major shift in the Martian climate from wetter to drier conditions, according to Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s Curiosity rover team names Martian hill after deceased scientist

<p>NASA's Curiosity rover could soon be drilling rocks on Mars again, according to the US space agency.</p>

<p>Engineers have been working for the past year to restore the rover's full drilling capabilities, which were hampered in 2016 due to a mechanical problem, NASA said in a statement.</p>

<p>A new technique called Feed Extended Drilling, or FED, lets Curiosity drill more like the way a person would at home, using the force of its robotic arm to push its drill bit forward as it spins.</p>

<p>The new version of FED adds a hammering force to the drill bit. The drill was tested with the FED technique without percussion at the end of February, NASA said.</p>

<p>It did not successfully produce a rock sample, but did provide valuable results for engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, US.</p>

<p>Data from the percussive tests will help them continue to refine the drill technique over the coming months.</p>

<p>"This is our next big test to restore drilling closer to the way it worked before," said Steven Lee, Curiosity deputy project manager at JPL.</p>

<p>"Based on how it performs, we can fine-tune the process, trying things like increasing the amount of force we apply while drilling," said Lee.</p>

<p>The strategy has been to prototype these new methods while on the go, he said.</p>

<p>Engineers at JPL will continue tweaking the extended drilling technique. At the same time, they are developing new ways to improve the drill's performance.</p>

<p>The rover has been making its way along Vera Rubin Ridge towards an uphill area enriched in clay minerals that the science team is eager to explore.</p>

<p>In anticipation of being able to obtain samples, the rover reversed direction in mid-April, heading towards a location just downhill from the ridge.</p>

<p>"We have purposely driven backwards because the team believes there is high value in drilling a distinct kind of rock that makes up a 200-foot-thick layer below the ridge," said Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada of JPL.</p>

<p>"We are fortunately in a position to drive back a short way and still pick up a target on the top of this layer," said Vasavada.&nbsp</p>


Engineers have been working for the past year to restore the rover's full drilling capabilities

NASA's Curiosity rover could soon be drilling rocks on Mars again, according to the US space agency. Engineers have been working for the past year to restore the rover's full drilling capabilities, which were hampered in 2016 due to a mechanical problem, NASA said in a statement. A new technique called Feed Extended Drilling, or FED, lets Curiosity drill more like the way a person would at home, using the force of its robotic arm to push its drill bit forward as it spins. The new version of FED adds a hammering force to the drill bit. The drill was tested with the FED technique without percussion at the end of February, NASA said. It did not successfully produce a rock sample, but did provide valuable results for engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, US. Data from the percussive tests will help them continue to refine the drill technique over the coming months. "This is our next big test to restore drilling closer to the way it worked before," said Steven Lee, Curiosity deputy project manager at JPL. "Based on how it performs, we can fine-tune the process, trying things like increasing the amount of force we apply while drilling," said Lee. The strategy has been to prototype these new methods while on the go, he said. Engineers at JPL will continue tweaking the extended drilling technique. At the same time, they are developing new ways to improve the drill's performance. The rover has been making its way along Vera Rubin Ridge towards an uphill area enriched in clay minerals that the science team is eager to explore. In anticipation of being able to obtain samples, the rover reversed direction in mid-April, heading towards a location just downhill from the ridge. "We have purposely driven backwards because the team believes there is high value in drilling a distinct kind of rock that makes up a 200-foot-thick layer below the ridge," said Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada of JPL. "We are fortunately in a position to drive back a short way and still pick up a target on the top of this layer," said Vasavada.

Curiosity rover may soon drill rocks on Mars: NASA

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