NASA's Perseverance rover has made yet another unusual discovery on Mars, spotting greenish spots inside a rock. The mysterious discovery was made by the rover's SHERLOC WATSON camera that took a nighttime mosaic image of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch in the "Serpentine Rapids".&nbsp;

The photo also shows white and black spots. To see what lies inside the rock, Perseverance made an abrasion patch five centimetres in diameter in a outcrop named "Wallace Butte." The large green spot lies in the upper left portion of the image and is approximately two millimeters (about 0.08 inches) in diameter.&nbsp;

Oxidized iron is responsible for the colour of rocks on Earth similar to those found on Mars. It is also what makes the blood red. The green tinge is also common in rocks on our planet. They are formed when liquid water seeps through sediment before hardening into rock. A chemical reaction then transforms oxidised iron to its reduced form, lending a green hue to a rock.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-may-have-flourished-on-mars-till-a-few-billion-years-ago-772020">Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago</a>

The reduction reaction can either happen because of microbes or decaying organic matter in the rocks on Earth. Chemical interaction between sulfur and iron can also cause iron-reduction reactions without the help of microorganisms.

However, what caused the green colour in the Martian rocks is a mystery as the rover didn't have much space to safely place its arms holding the SHERLOC and PIXL instruments directly on top of the green spot.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/do-you-see-it-human-face-spotted-on-mars-is-totally-relatable-it-is-really-just-a-765777">Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable</a>

<h2>Black-and-white striped rock on Mars</h2>

The rover recently also clicked an image of a black-and-white striped rock on Mars. It came across the odd rock while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim.

The rock was named Freya Castle and scientists think that as the rover continues to climb up the crater, it might come across more such rocks. It is the only stone of its kind observed on Mars and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher.

NASA's Perseverance rover has made yet another unusual discovery on Mars, spotting greenish spots inside a rock. The mysterious discovery was made by the rover's SHERLOC WATSON camera that took a nighttime mosaic image of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch in the "Serpentine Rapids".

NASA's Perseverance rover has made yet another unusual discovery on Mars, spotting greenish spots inside a rock. The mysterious discovery was made by the rover's SHERLOC WATSON camera that took a nighttime mosaic image of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch in the "Serpentine Rapids". The photo also shows white and black spots. To see what lies inside the rock, Perseverance made an abrasion patch five centimetres in diameter in a outcrop named "Wallace Butte." The large green spot lies in the upper left portion of the image and is approximately two millimeters (about 0.08 inches) in diameter. Oxidized iron is responsible for the colour of rocks on Earth similar to those found on Mars. It is also what makes the blood red. The green tinge is also common in rocks on our planet. They are formed when liquid water seeps through sediment before hardening into rock. A chemical reaction then transforms oxidised iron to its reduced form, lending a green hue to a rock. Also Read: Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago The reduction reaction can either happen because of microbes or decaying organic matter in the rocks on Earth. Chemical interaction between sulfur and iron can also cause iron-reduction reactions without the help of microorganisms. However, what caused the green colour in the Martian rocks is a mystery as the rover didn't have much space to safely place its arms holding the SHERLOC and PIXL instruments directly on top of the green spot. Also Read: Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable Black-and-white striped rock on Mars The rover recently also clicked an image of a black-and-white striped rock on Mars. It came across the odd rock while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. The rock was named Freya Castle and scientists think that as the rover continues to climb up the crater, it might come across more such rocks. It is the only stone of its kind observed on Mars and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher.

What's 'green' on Mars? Perseverance dissects a rock and gives birth to even more questions

Perseverance rover has captured a photo of a rock on Mars that looks totally relatable. If you are feeling tired and exhausted in the middle of the week, then this rock will give you company, echoing similar vibes.

The rock looks like the face of a man lying down who is done with the stress and just wants to rest. The photo was clicked on September 27 by Perseverance with the camera placed on the right side of its mast. The rover is currently on a journey towards the rim of the Jezero Crater, an area on the red planet that has intrigued scientists for years. It is believed to have harboured water in the past.

The image shows a bunch of rocks scattered in the area. The specific rock is on the far left side of the photo which looks weirdly like a face lying on its side. It bears facial features, like eyes, nose and mouth that are clearly visible. It looks squashed but you can't deny the resemblance.

Rovers have been sending images of the Martian landscape for years and this is not the first time that such a fascinating rock has been spotted. Recently, Perseverance sent a photo of a rock with zebra-like black-and-white stripes.&nbsp;

It took this image during the current trek of the Jezero Crater. The unusual rock was named Freya Castle after being spotted in the background by the team on Earth.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/perseverance-spots-an-odd-rock-on-mars-with-zebra-stripes-where-did-it-come-from-761350">Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from?</a>

Clearer photos of the rock downlinked days later showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. Experts are eager to learn more about the "zebra rock" and believe igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes.

It was the only rock at the scene and likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. In July, the rover found a rock with leopard-like pattern.

Most of the rocks on Mars were shaped by volcanic activity, wind erosion, and ancient water flows.&nbsp;

<h2>Human face spotted on Mars by Viking 1</h2>

While the&nbsp;face in the rock is quite evident, nearly 50 years back something similar happened when a human face was captured on Mars. This phenomenon of seeing faces in inanimate objects is known as pareidolia, a psychological illusion.

This is what happened in 1976 when NASA’s Viking 1 orbiter captured an image of a region on Mars called Cydonia. People were sure they saw a human face in a strange formation. Rumours swirled that an ancient Martian civilisation had built a monument showing the planet’s former inhabitants.&nbsp;

However, it turned out to be a hill.

As Perseverance travels uphill towards Jezero Crater, we can expect more strange sightings.

Perseverance rover has captured a photo of a rock on Mars that looks totally relatable. If you are feeling tired and exhausted in the middle of the week, then this rock will give you company, echoing similar vibes.

Perseverance rover has captured a photo of a rock on Mars that looks totally relatable. If you are feeling tired and exhausted in the middle of the week, then this rock will give you company, echoing similar vibes. The rock looks like the face of a man lying down who is done with the stress and just wants to rest. The photo was clicked on September 27 by Perseverance with the camera placed on the right side of its mast. The rover is currently on a journey towards the rim of the Jezero Crater, an area on the red planet that has intrigued scientists for years. It is believed to have harboured water in the past. The image shows a bunch of rocks scattered in the area. The specific rock is on the far left side of the photo which looks weirdly like a face lying on its side. It bears facial features, like eyes, nose and mouth that are clearly visible. It looks squashed but you can't deny the resemblance. Rovers have been sending images of the Martian landscape for years and this is not the first time that such a fascinating rock has been spotted. Recently, Perseverance sent a photo of a rock with zebra-like black-and-white stripes. It took this image during the current trek of the Jezero Crater. The unusual rock was named Freya Castle after being spotted in the background by the team on Earth. Also Read: Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from? Clearer photos of the rock downlinked days later showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. Experts are eager to learn more about the "zebra rock" and believe igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes. It was the only rock at the scene and likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. In July, the rover found a rock with leopard-like pattern. Most of the rocks on Mars were shaped by volcanic activity, wind erosion, and ancient water flows. Human face spotted on Mars by Viking 1 While the face in the rock is quite evident, nearly 50 years back something similar happened when a human face was captured on Mars. This phenomenon of seeing faces in inanimate objects is known as pareidolia, a psychological illusion. This is what happened in 1976 when NASA’s Viking 1 orbiter captured an image of a region on Mars called Cydonia. People were sure they saw a human face in a strange formation. Rumours swirled that an ancient Martian civilisation had built a monument showing the planet’s former inhabitants. However, it turned out to be a hill. As Perseverance travels uphill towards Jezero Crater, we can expect more strange sightings.

Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable. It is really just a...

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. While the initial ascent was slower, Perseverance is now moving remarkably faster and has cruised along a flatter stretch.&nbsp;

While the rover&nbsp;was travelling through a pebbly terrain of Jezero, team members spotted a cobble in the distance that looked unusual. Low-resolution Navcam images showed that it likely had an unusual texture. They named it Freya Castle and planned a multispectral observation using the Mastcam-Z camera.

After the Perseverance rover had moved on in its journey, data downlinked a couple of days later surprised the researchers. Clearer photos of the rock showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. The picture has created a frenzy as people are intrigued to know more about this "zebra rock".

Scientists say that the rock is unlike any other ever found not only in the Jezero Crater but all of Mars. While they are not sure of its chemical composition, as per early interpretations igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes.

The Freya Castle is a lone stone and completely&nbsp;different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/curiosity-rover-cuts-open-rock-on-mars-spilling-out-an-unexpected-secret-742213">Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret</a>

As Perseverance continues to travel upwards, scientists are excited by what more it might find. Finding more such rocks will help them acquire more detailed measurements.

<h2>Sulfur in Mars rocks</h2>

This is not the first time that a fascinating rock has been found on Mars. The vicinity of the crater rim had earlier presented an increased variety of rocks, such as the diverse collection of boulders at Mount Washburn.&nbsp;

A few weeks back, Curiosity Rover drove over some stones, cracking open one of them and yellow sulfur crystal tumbled out, a first for the red planet.&nbsp;

“Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.&nbsp;

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim.

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. While the initial ascent was slower, Perseverance is now moving remarkably faster and has cruised along a flatter stretch. While the rover was travelling through a pebbly terrain of Jezero, team members spotted a cobble in the distance that looked unusual. Low-resolution Navcam images showed that it likely had an unusual texture. They named it Freya Castle and planned a multispectral observation using the Mastcam-Z camera. After the Perseverance rover had moved on in its journey, data downlinked a couple of days later surprised the researchers. Clearer photos of the rock showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. The picture has created a frenzy as people are intrigued to know more about this "zebra rock". Scientists say that the rock is unlike any other ever found not only in the Jezero Crater but all of Mars. While they are not sure of its chemical composition, as per early interpretations igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes. The Freya Castle is a lone stone and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. Also Read: Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret As Perseverance continues to travel upwards, scientists are excited by what more it might find. Finding more such rocks will help them acquire more detailed measurements. Sulfur in Mars rocks This is not the first time that a fascinating rock has been found on Mars. The vicinity of the crater rim had earlier presented an increased variety of rocks, such as the diverse collection of boulders at Mount Washburn. A few weeks back, Curiosity Rover drove over some stones, cracking open one of them and yellow sulfur crystal tumbled out, a first for the red planet. “Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.

Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from?

NASA’s Curiosity Rover has made several discoveries on Mars, and the latest one has surprised scientists. The rover in May drove over some stones, cracking open one of them. What stumbled out was nothing less than magical - yellow sulfur crystal, a first for the red planet.&nbsp;

“Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.&nbsp;

The discovery was made in a region that is rich in sulfates and has been explored by Curiosity since October 2023. Sulfate is a kind of salt that comprises sulfur and forms after the water evaporates. This is not the first time that sulfur has been found on Mars, but past findings have basically been of sulfur-based minerals. But the rock that Curiosity crushed contains elemental, or pure, sulfur. 
And it's not just one rock, there are several more of them spread in a vast field in the area.&nbsp;

The astonishing thing is that the conditions needed to form this sulfur have never been linked by scientists to this particular region. The formation of sulfur depends on a narrow range of conditions.&nbsp;

“It shouldn’t be there, so now we have to explain it. Discovering strange and unexpected things is what makes planetary exploration so exciting," Ashwin added.

Additionally, while sulfur usually is associated with the odour of rotten eggs, which is caused by&nbsp;the hydrogen sulfide gas, elemental sulfur, the one found in the rock, is odourless.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strange-lakes-rivers-and-oceans-are-flowing-on-saturns-moon-scientists-find-it-eerily-similar-to-earth-742065">Strange lakes, rivers and oceans are flowing on Saturn's moon. Scientists find it eerily similar to Earth</a>

<h2>Where is Curiosity right now?</h2>

The rover is currently exploring the red planet's Gediz Vallis channel, a groove on the 5-kilometre-tall&nbsp;Mount Sharp. The mountain hides the mysteries of Mars as each layer denotes a different period of its history. Curiosity has been climbing up this mountain since 2014 and aims to learn about the nutrients that likely once gave birth to microbial life on Mars.&nbsp;

Gediz Vallis channel was spotted from space long before Curiosity was sent to Mars. Scientists believe that liquid water flowing in this region created this channel, and the debris that it brought with it left a ridge of boulders and sediment for two miles down the mountainside. The aim is to understand what went wrong and how did the current landscape emerge.&nbsp;

The large mounds of debris on the channel’s floor likely happened because of ancient floodwaters or landslides. Curiosity has given hints that suggest both possibilities, violent water gushing down along with debris created some of it and local landslides formed the other.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

NASA’s Curiosity Rover has made several discoveries on Mars, and the latest one has surprised scientists. The rover in May drove over some stones, cracking open one of them.

NASA’s Curiosity Rover has made several discoveries on Mars, and the latest one has surprised scientists. The rover in May drove over some stones, cracking open one of them. What stumbled out was nothing less than magical - yellow sulfur crystal, a first for the red planet. “Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said. The discovery was made in a region that is rich in sulfates and has been explored by Curiosity since October 2023. Sulfate is a kind of salt that comprises sulfur and forms after the water evaporates. This is not the first time that sulfur has been found on Mars, but past findings have basically been of sulfur-based minerals. But the rock that Curiosity crushed contains elemental, or pure, sulfur. And it's not just one rock, there are several more of them spread in a vast field in the area. The astonishing thing is that the conditions needed to form this sulfur have never been linked by scientists to this particular region. The formation of sulfur depends on a narrow range of conditions. “It shouldn’t be there, so now we have to explain it. Discovering strange and unexpected things is what makes planetary exploration so exciting," Ashwin added. Additionally, while sulfur usually is associated with the odour of rotten eggs, which is caused by the hydrogen sulfide gas, elemental sulfur, the one found in the rock, is odourless. Also Read: Strange lakes, rivers and oceans are flowing on Saturn's moon. Scientists find it eerily similar to Earth Where is Curiosity right now? The rover is currently exploring the red planet's Gediz Vallis channel, a groove on the 5-kilometre-tall Mount Sharp. The mountain hides the mysteries of Mars as each layer denotes a different period of its history. Curiosity has been climbing up this mountain since 2014 and aims to learn about the nutrients that likely once gave birth to microbial life on Mars. Gediz Vallis channel was spotted from space long before Curiosity was sent to Mars. Scientists believe that liquid water flowing in this region created this channel, and the debris that it brought with it left a ridge of boulders and sediment for two miles down the mountainside. The aim is to understand what went wrong and how did the current landscape emerge. The large mounds of debris on the channel’s floor likely happened because of ancient floodwaters or landslides. Curiosity has given hints that suggest both possibilities, violent water gushing down along with debris created some of it and local landslides formed the other.

Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret

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What's 'green' on Mars? Perseverance dissects a rock and gives birth to even more questions

Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable. It is really just a...

Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from?

Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret