Mars' Hidden Secret: NASA's Rover Finds Mysterious 'Stone Web

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NASA's Curiosity rover just discovered something strange on Mars - a web-like pattern of rock that has scientists buzzing with excitement.

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The unusual formation in Gale Crater shows a network of ridges that stand out from surrounding terrain, resembling structures called "boxwork" found on Earth.

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"We're now at the edge of what could be a boxwork structure—a striking pattern of tough, web-like ridges first seen from orbit," says NASA engineer Ashley Stroupe.

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How did this strange pattern form? On Earth, similar structures appear when water carrying minerals flows through rock cracks, leaving behind hardened veins.

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There's just one problem slowing down the investigation - Curiosity's wheel is stuck on a small pebble, preventing the rover from using its robotic arm!

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While waiting to reposition, Curiosity is using its remote cameras and laser tools to study the formation from a distance.

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Engineers plan to move the rover backward about 12 inches to safely position it for direct examination with instruments on its arm.

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If confirmed as a boxwork structure, this finding suggests groundwater was present beneath Mars' surface much longer than scientists thought.

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If confirmed as a boxwork structure, this finding suggests groundwater was present beneath Mars' surface much longer than scientists thought.

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NASA's Curiosity rover just discovered something strange on Mars - a web-like pattern of rock that has scientists buzzing with excitement.

The unusual formation in Gale Crater shows a network of ridges that stand out from surrounding terrain, resembling structures called "boxwork" found on Earth.

"We're now at the edge of what could be a boxwork structure—a striking pattern of tough, web-like ridges first seen from orbit," says NASA engineer Ashley Stroupe.

How did this strange pattern form? On Earth, similar structures appear when water carrying minerals flows through rock cracks, leaving behind hardened veins.

There's just one problem slowing down the investigation - Curiosity's wheel is stuck on a small pebble, preventing the rover from using its robotic arm!

While waiting to reposition, Curiosity is using its remote cameras and laser tools to study the formation from a distance.

Engineers plan to move the rover backward about 12 inches to safely position it for direct examination with instruments on its arm.

If confirmed as a boxwork structure, this finding suggests groundwater was present beneath Mars' surface much longer than scientists thought.

If confirmed as a boxwork structure, this finding suggests groundwater was present beneath Mars' surface much longer than scientists thought.

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