NASA's Curiosity rover is preparing to drill at a new site named Nazca to study unique crystal-like rock formations on Mars.
The Curiosity rover recently finished its work at the Basque Lakes area. It moved to a new site called Nazca to start a fresh drilling campaign. Scientists chose this spot because it looks very promising for research. The area contains unique rock shapes that look like small discs and needles.
Also, researchers believe these shapes formed from growing crystals long ago. These crystals grew based on their internal structure. This process is similar to how salt crystals grow in a science class. The size of these crystals gives clues about ancient temperatures on Mars.
However, the original minerals might have changed over time. Scientists call these altered minerals pseudomorphs. They keep the old shape but have a new chemical makeup. The team wants to study these patterns in great detail.
Next, the rover will perform a special test to build 3D models. It will use the MAHLI camera to take many close-up photos. These images will show the exact shape of the rocks. This data helps the team understand the crystal structures better.
Meanwhile, the rover will use a laser to study a rock target called Toucan. It will fire the laser 150 times at one single spot. This depth profile experiment will reveal the chemical makeup of the rock's interior. It helps show if the surface differs from the layers underneath.
After that, the team will use several tools to scan the Nazca site. They want to know the surface composition before they drill. They will also study another nearby rock that shows fine layers. This provides a complete picture of the local geology.
Finally, Curiosity will observe the Martian sky during the cloud season. It will take photos of the moon Phobos at night. These images help scientists measure the size of particles in high-altitude clouds. This study improves our knowledge of the modern Martian environment.