Rover's Analysis Of Martian Soil Yields Major Surprise - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Rover's Analysis Of Martian Soil Yields Major Surprise

Posted: Updated:
Photo courtesy: NASA Photo courtesy: NASA

HUFFINGTONPOST.COM - Scientists say the Martian soil at the rover Curiosity's landing site contains minerals similar to what's found on Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano.

The finding released Tuesday is the latest step in trying to better understand whether the environment could have been hospitable to microbial life.

Curiosity recently ingested its first soil sample and used one of its instruments to tease out the minerals present. An analysis revealed it contained feldspar and olivine, minerals typically associated with volcanic eruptions. Mission scientists say the Martian soil is similar to volcanic soil on the flanks of Mauna Kea. click here to read more