Sulfur Crystals on Mars: Curiosity’s Happy Accident and Other Surprises
Scientists were stunned when a wheel on the Curiosity Mars rover recently cracked open a rock to reveal something never seen before on the Red Planet: yellow sulfur crystals.
While the rover has previously detected sulfur-based minerals, this rock is made of pure, elemental sulfur.
Join us for a live conversation with Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist, to discuss the significance of the finding as well as other notable discoveries from the mountain-climbing Mars explorer’s 12th year on the Red Planet.
Speakers:
- Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, project scientist for the Curiosity rover, NASA JPL
Host:
- Nikki Wyrick, communications and education directorate, NASA JPL
Co-host:
- Sarah Marcotte, Mars public engagement specialist, NASA JPL