{"id":189328,"date":"2025-03-22T10:06:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T00:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/shocking-spherules\/"},"modified":"2025-03-22T10:06:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T00:06:04","slug":"shocking-spherules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=189328","title":{"rendered":"Shocking Spherules!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" 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Orbiter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/odyssey\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Odyssey<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/#missions\" rel=\"noopener\">More Mars Missions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Home<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\">\n<div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\">\n<p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">3 min read<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">Shocking Spherules!<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>Written by Alex Jones, Ph.D. candidate at Imperial College London<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>Last week the Perseverance Science Team were astonished by a strange rock comprised of hundreds of millimeter-sized spheres\u2026 and the team are now working hard to understand their origin.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=3034&#038;h=2083&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3034\" height=\"2083\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=3034&#038;h=2083&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A closeup photo of a Martian rock shows a rough, bubbly texture that ranges in color from pale brownish-orange around the edges, to more gray-tinged orange nearer the center. Many of the bumps or bubbles are spherical, others are crushed or halved, looking like a jar of spilled gray capers, mingled with some creamy, orange-colored sauce.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=3034&#038;h=2083&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 3034w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=300&#038;h=206&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=768&#038;h=527&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=703&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1055&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1406&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=400&#038;h=275&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=600&#038;h=412&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=900&#038;h=618&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=824&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/ASCAM_SOL1442_scam01442_MOS_LR08_FUS_RGB_____St_Pauls_Bay_________P01.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1373&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3034px) 100vw, 3034px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This image from NASA\u2019s Mars Perseverance rover, a fusion-processed SuperCam Remote Micro Imager (RMI) mosaic, shows part of the \u201cSt. Pauls Bay\u201d target, acquired from the lower Witch Hazel Hill area of the Jezero crater rim. The image reveals hundreds of strange, spherical-shaped objects comprising the rock. Perseverance acquired this image on March 11, 2025, or sol 1442 \u2014 Martian day 1,442 of the Mars 2020 mission.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/LANL\/CNES\/IRAP.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It has now been two weeks since Perseverance arrived at Broom Point, situated at the lower slopes of the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/resource\/perseverances-climb-to-witch-hazel-hill\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Witch Hazel Hill<\/a> area, on the Jezero crater rim. Here, a series of light- and dark- toned bands were visible from orbit, and just last week the rover successfully <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/navigating-a-slanted-river\/\" rel=\"noopener\">abraded and sampled<\/a> one of the light-toned beds. It was from this sampling workspace where Perseverance spied a very strange texture in a nearby rock\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The rock, named \u201cSt. Pauls Bay\u201d by the team, appeared to be comprised of hundreds of millimeter-sized, dark gray spheres. Some of these occurred as more elongate, elliptical shapes, while others possessed angular edges, perhaps representing broken spherule fragments. Some spheres even possessed tiny pinholes! What quirk of geology could produce these strange shapes?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t the first time strange spheres have been spotted on Mars. In 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity spotted so-called, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/resource\/martian-blueberries-2\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Martian Blueberries<\/a>\u201d at Meridiani Planum, and since then, the Curiosity rover has observed<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/resource\/spherules-in-yellowknife-bay-unannotated\/\" rel=\"noopener\"> spherules in the rocks of Yellowknife Bay<\/a> at Gale crater. Just a few months ago, Perseverance itself also spied <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/perseverance-finds-popcorn-on-planet-mars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">popcorn-like textures<\/a> in sedimentary rocks exposed in the Jezero crater inlet channel, Neretva Vallis. In each of these cases, the spherules were interpreted as concretions, features that formed by interaction with groundwater circulating through pore spaces in the rock. Not all spherules form this way, however. They also form on Earth by rapid cooling of molten rock droplets formed in a volcanic eruption, for instance, or by the condensation of rock vaporized by a meteorite impact.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=1648&#038;h=1200&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1648\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=1648&#038;h=1200&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A color photo from the Martian surface shows pale brownish-orange fine soil with several small and medium sized rocks poking above the surface, lighter-toned than the surrounding soil, mostly flat with varied edges and cracks. One exception stands out at the middle right of the image, dark gray and slightly larger than everything else around, vaguely diamond-shaped \u2014 from the viewer\u2019s vantage point \u2014 and covered everywhere on its surface in tiny bumps.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=1648&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1648w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=300&#038;h=218&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=768&#038;h=559&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=1024&#038;h=746&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=1536&#038;h=1118&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=400&#038;h=291&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=600&#038;h=437&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=900&#038;h=655&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1444_0795128838_239EBY_N0692124ZCAM04094_1100LMJ.png?w=1200&#038;h=874&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1648px) 100vw, 1648px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the \u201cSt. Pauls Bay\u201d target (the dark-toned float block in the right of the view) using its Left Mastcam-Z camera, one of a pair of cameras located high on the rover\u2019s remote-sensing mast. Perseverance acquired this image on March 13, 2025 \u2014 sol 1444, or Martian day 1,444 of the Mars 2020 mission \u2014 at the local mean solar time of 11:57:49.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/ASU<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Each of these formation mechanisms would have vastly different implications for the evolution of these rocks, so the team is working hard to determine their context and origin. St. Pauls Bay, however, was float rock \u2014 a term used by geologists to describe something that is not in-place. The team are now working to link the spherule-rich texture observed at St. Pauls Bay to the wider stratigraphy at Witch Hazel Hill, and initial observations have provided tantalizing indications that it could be linked to one of the dark-toned layers identified by the team from orbit. Placing these features in geologic context will be critical for understanding their origin, and determining their significance for the geological history of the Jezero crater rim and beyond!\u00a0<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li 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transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04480_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_795210519EDR_F1140534FHAZ00302M_.JPG?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Sols 4481-4483: Humber Pie<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/sols-4479-4480-what-is-that-lumpy-bumpy-rock\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04478_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_795030963EDR_F1140366NCAM00353M_.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Sols 4479-4480: What IS That Lumpy, Bumpy Rock?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 week ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mars<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It\u2019s the only planet we know of inhabited\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/resources\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>All Mars Resources<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Explore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"792\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/mars\/resources\/detail_files\/2\/5\/25757_1-PIA24543-Curiositys-Selfie-at-Mont-Mercou-main-web.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=792&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/rover-basics\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Rover Basics<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Each robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1197\" height=\"1499\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?w=1197\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png 1197w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=768,962 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=818,1024 818w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=319,400 319w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=479,600 479w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=719,900 719w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=958,1200 958w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1197px) 100vw, 1197px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/science-goals\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mars Exploration: Science Goals<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">The key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA\u2019s four\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1600&#038;h=900&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1600&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=900&#038;h=506&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Alex Jones, Ph.D. candidate at Imperial College London Last week the Perseverance Science Team were astonished by a strange rock comprised of hundreds of millimeter-sized spheres\u2026 and the team are now working hard to understand their origin.\u00a0 It has now been two weeks since Perseverance arrived at Broom Point, situated at the lower [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15599],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-189328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=189328"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189862,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189328\/revisions\/189862"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=189328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=189328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=189328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}