Curiosity Mars rover discovers field of honeycomb textures
NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered extensive honeycomb-like polygonal fractures in a Martian valley called Valle Grande. Scientists are analyzing the data to determine if these formations were caused by mud cracks or temperature-related sediment compression.
Why it matters
Understanding Martian geological history provides essential clues about the planet's past climate and potential for supporting life.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source A close-up of the polygon fractures discovered by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover highlights their honeycomb-like textures. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS As NASA's Curiosity rover recently began climbing a Martian valley nicknamed "Valle Grande," it sent back images that were a familiar sight to mission scientists: honeycomb-like textures called polygonal fractures, each about 1.5–3 inches (4–8 centimeters) across. The mission has spotted small patches of these geometric shapes several times before, but nothing at the scale discovered in Valle Grande.
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