• Photo
An image provided by NASA shows the robotic arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity with the first rock touched by an instrument on the arm

An image provided by NASA shows the robotic arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity with the first rock touched by an instrument on the arm. (AP Photo/NASA)

  • More Featured Content
Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty
Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty

Jurors have deadlocked on a verdict of life or death for Jodi …

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
Boy Scouts to accept openly gay youths

In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local …

Photos: DIY backyard lighting projects
Photos: DIY backyard lighting projects

It's all about atmosphere, so light up that backyard gathering …

Hurricane forecast: Another busy Atlantic season
NOAA: Another busy hurricane season

Thursday's outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 …

Red Carpet Style | Fast and Furious 6
Red Carpet Style | Fast and Furious 6

See the stars of the blockbuster franchise on the red carpet.

Advertisement

Mars rover's peek at rock turns up a curiosity

A bit more unusual than expected

Updated: Friday, 12 Oct 2012, 7:24 AM EDT
Published : Friday, 12 Oct 2012, 7:24 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first rock nuzzled by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover is turning out to be a bit more unusual than scientists thought it would be.

Curiosity used its robot arm to touch at a football-sized pyramid-shaped rock for the first time two weeks ago. It also shot the rock dozens of times with a laser.

The results surprised scientists. They said Thursday that it is not like other rocks seen on Mars. It has more sodium and potassium.

Scientist Edward Stolper said the rock is more like rare volcanic rocks seen on Earth in places like Hawaii. Those rocks are formed under high pressure, deep underground and once contained water.

Scientists don't know how old the Martian rock is.

___

Online:

Mission page: http://www.nasa.gov/msl

  • Comment Privately

Comment to 24 Hour News 8

Don't have a Facebook account? Or don't want to share something publicly? Email us here.

Report a comment

See a comment that should be moderated? Fill out the form here and tell us why.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement