Mars rover Opportunity finds mineral vein caused by water

William Atkins
Thursday, 08 December 2011 23:30

Science - Space

According to a December 7, 2011 NASA report, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has discovered a vein of mineral, which mission scientists think is gypsum, that was deposited by water sometime in the distant past.

The vein, only about 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1.02 to 2.04 centimeters) in width and 16 to 20 inches (0.41 to 0.51 meter) in length, was discovered because of its distinct features from the rest of the bedrock: it was brighter than the rest of its surroundings and it was elevated slightly higher than surface materials on both sides of it.

Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral, which is composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. Its chemical formula is CaSO₄'¢2H₂O.

Cornell University professor Steve Squyres, the principle investigator (PI) for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission, stated, 'This tells a slam-dunk story that water flowed through underground fractures in the rock. This stuff is a fairly pure chemical deposit that formed in place right where we see it.'

And, 'That can't be said for other gypsum seen on Mars or for other water-related minerals Opportunity has found. It's not uncommon on Earth, but on Mars, it's the kind of thing that makes geologists jump out of their chairs."

According to the December 7, 2011 NASA article 'NASA Mars Rover Finds Mineral Vein Deposited By Water,' the 'Analysis of the vein will help improve understanding of the history of wet environments on Mars.'

Read more about this story at the before-mentioned NASA article.