Curiosity rover's accidental find: Pure sulfur crystals on Mars

The Curiosity rover, which has been studying the surface of Mars for years, provides Earth scientists with invaluable information about the Red Planet's geological composition. During one of its recent routine operations, Curiosity accidentally split open a rock, revealing pure sulfur crystals inside.

Curiosity began its mission on November 26, 2011, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It safely reached Mars on August 6, 2012, landing in Gale Crater. Since then, it has continuously conducted surface studies on Mars, supplying scientists with critical data.

The mission of the Curiosity rover involves exploring the surface of Mars to understand its climate and geology and search for signs of past life. Curiosity studies Martian rocks and soil's chemical and mineral composition by analyzing samples with advanced scientific instruments. Additionally, the rover monitors radiation on the Martian surface, which is crucial for future manned missions.

For several months, Curiosity has focused on studying the Mount Sharp region, where many minerals, including sulfates, have been discovered. According to IFLScience, during one of its excursions, the rover accidentally split open a rock and found pure sulfur crystals inside. This unexpected discovery has caught scientists' attention because pure sulfur crystals can provide valuable information about past geochemical conditions on Mars.

Pure sulfur had never been observed on Mars before. Although sulfates contain sulfur, there is no clear connection between the formation of these molecules and pure crystals. Elementary sulfur crystals form only under specific conditions, which were not expected in this region.

Scientists are determined to understand the Red Planet better. Curiosity, equipped with advanced research instruments such as X-ray spectrometers, high-resolution cameras, and chemical analysis devices, will continue its research, providing us with more new and detailed information about Mars. The discovery of pure sulfur crystals is another step toward understanding the mysteries of Mars and searching for signs of past life.

"Finding a field of stones made of pure sulphur is like finding an oasis in the desert," said Curiosity project scientist Ashwin Vasavada from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in a statement. "It shouldn't be there, so now we have to explain it."