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Astronomy Picture of the Day - Leopard Spots on Martian Rocks
NASA ^ | 31 Jul, 2024 | Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, MSSS, Perseverance Rover

Posted on 07/31/2024 12:36:52 PM PDT by MtnClimber

Explanation: What is creating these unusual spots? Light-colored spots on Martian rocks, each surrounded by a dark border, were discovered earlier this month by NASA's Perseverance Rover currently exploring Mars. Dubbed leopard spots because of their seemingly similarity to markings on famous Earth-bound predators, these curious patterns are being studied with the possibility they were created by ancient Martian life. The pictured spots measure only millimeters across and were discovered on a larger rock named Cheyava Falls. The exciting but unproven speculation is that long ago, microbes generated energy with chemical reactions that turned rock from red to white while leaving a dark ring, like some similarly appearing spots on Earth rocks. Although other non-biological explanations may ultimately prevail, speculation focusing on this potential biological origin is causing much intrigue.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; nasa
To be added or removed from the Astronomy Picture of the Day ping list please send me a request via "Private Reply" (Mail).

For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

1 posted on 07/31/2024 12:36:52 PM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 07/31/2024 12:37:08 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber

3 posted on 07/31/2024 12:37:28 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; abb; AFB-XYZ; AFPhys; Agatsu77; America_Right; ...
Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔


4 posted on 07/31/2024 12:38:09 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber

5 posted on 07/31/2024 12:56:12 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s)
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To: MtnClimber

Leopard spots on rocks?!!!

They would put you in the zoo,
if they could see what you can do!


6 posted on 07/31/2024 2:03:55 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: MtnClimber
That rock reminds me more of a blue-ringed octopus than a leopard.

I'm not going to pick it up.

SpyNavy

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

7 posted on 07/31/2024 8:46:22 PM PDT by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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