Nov 17, 2016

The incredible blue dunes of Mars: Stunning new NASA image reveals layers of ancient rock

  • Image shows striations of varying colors in region known as Nili Fossae
  • The canyon was formed by a system of faults, but also once hosted water
  • Blue and white rocks are partially covered by layers of younger material
A breathtaking new image from NASA reveals the pale white and blue layers of ancient Martian bedrock.

The view captures the sediments on the floor of a canyon near a feature known as Syrtis Major, and provides a glimpse at the history of the landscape.

According to the researchers, the striations illustrate a chronological stacking of the sediments, with younger layers of dust and other wind-blown materials partially covering the rocks beneath

A breathtaking new image from NASA reveals the pale white and blue layers of ancient Martian bedrock. The view captures the sediments in the floor of a canyon near a feature known as Syrtis Major, and provides a glimpse at the history of the landscape
The region known as Nili Fossae is a candidate for a future robotic mission, and researchers say the varying colours and tones of the rocks reveal changes in the composition of the sediment.

While the canyon is thought to be the product of a system of faults, there is evidence to suggest that water once flowed through the area.

Orbital spectral measurements by the OMEGA instrument on Mars Express and CRISM on MRO show an abundance of clay minerals of different types in Nili Fossae.

These, along with other sediments detected at the site, are typically left behind by water.

According to the researchers, the variations in these layers reveal insight on how the Martian environment has changed.

NASA isn’t the only agency with plans to send robots to the red planet - in September, the ESA revealed the swirling valley of one of its ExoMars candidate landing sites.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3939986/The-incredible-blue-dunes-Mars-Stunning-new-NASA-image-reveals-layers-ancient-rock.html#ixzz4QF3SiP6U
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