There's a 3D model on the article that you can check out.
Posted on 02/27/2022 1:51:41 PM PST by Scarlett156
The Curiosity rover took a picture of something pretty enticing this week on the surface of Mars. While the object in question looks like a tiny little flower or maybe even some type of organic feature, the rover team confirmed this object is a mineral formation, with delicate structures that formed by minerals precipitating from water.
Curiosity has actually seen these types of features before, which are called diagenetic crystal clusters. Diagenetic means the recombination or rearrangement of minerals, and these features consist of three-dimensional crystal clusters, likely made of a combination of minerals. Curiosity deputy project scientist Abigail Fraeman said on Twitter that these features that were seen previously were made of salts called sulfates.
(Excerpt) Read more at scitechdaily.com ...
There's a 3D model on the article that you can check out.
Coral?
Martian ginger?
Looks more like a piece of coral to me.
Looks like a stalagmite.
It’s a mineral concretion that was formed by water, so “stalagmite” would be close.
How small is it ?
Ancient martian bone fossil?
My fist thought too. It is definitely not a bunny rabbit.
The lines look like ripples left on a shoreline. Remnant fossil of some ancient drying briney sea?
That would be my guess, too. Though possibly something wind-worn over the ages.
Guess we’re lucky it wasn’t run over!
Martian trying to dig itself out after Curiosity stirred up a dust storm.
Very interesting. I dont understand the ‘bottom’ of the crystal formation. Is it hollow underneath?
Ah! Thanks for the clarification!
Looks like some fluid (which is interesting, in all honesty) caused a chemical change in some porous rock, which then eroded away.
My thoughts as well.
Fossilized coral on Mars killed off by climate change. Reeeee!
When lighting strikes sand it leaves a similar construct. I don't think there is lighting on Mars.
Where there is ginger, there is sushi.
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