Related Content A NASA combination handout photograph shows the surface of Mars in front of the Mars rover on December 26, 2013 (L) and on January 8, 2014. REUTERS/NASA/Handout via ReutersView Photo A NASA combination handout photograph shows the surface of Mars in front of the Mars … By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Scientists are stumped as to how a rock mysteriously appeared in images taken two weeks apart by NASAs Mars rover Opportunity. The rover, which landed in an area known as Meridiani Planum a decade ago, is exploring the rim of a crater for signs of past water. Another rover, Curiosity, touched down on the opposite side of the planet in 2012 for a more ambitious mission to look for past habitable environments. For the moment, however, scientists are pondering a more immediate question. On January 8, while preparing to use its robotic arm for science investigation, Opportunity sent back a picture of its work area. The surface of Mars Close-up views of our neighboring planet. A NASA combination handout photograph shows the surface of Mars in front of the Mars rover on December 26, 2013 (L) and on January 8, 2014. REUTERS/NASA/Handout via Reuters Oddly, it showed a bright white rock, about the size of a doughnut, where only barren bedrock had appeared in a picture taken two weeks earlier. Scientists suspect the rock was flipped over by one of the rovers wheels. It also may have been deposited after a meteorite landed nearby. Either way, the rock, dubbed Pinnacle Island is providing an unexpected science bonus. Much of the rock is bright-toned, nearl
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:09:10 +0000