Tintina (rock)

Tintina Rock
Close-up of "Tintina" rock – broken exposed area is associated with strong signals of mineral hydrationas viewed by the Curiosity rover (January 19, 2013).[1][2]
Feature typeRock
Coordinates4°35′S 137°26′E / 4.59°S 137.44°E / -4.59; 137.44

Tintina is a rock on the surface of Aeolis Palus, between Peace Vallis and Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp), in Gale crater on the planet Mars. The approximate site coordinates are: 4°35′S 137°26′E / 4.59°S 137.44°E / -4.59; 137.44.

The rock was encountered by the Curiosity rover on the way from Bradbury Landing to Glenelg Intrigue in January 2013.[1][2] The rover ran over the rock and broke it. revealing white surface area in the rock.[3] This was the brightest material yet seen by MastCam up to that time.[3]

When the broken white area was analyzed with the rover's MastCam, strong signals of mineral hydration, as indicated by a ratio of near infrared reflectance intensities, were found. According to mission scientists, the mineral hydration signals were consistent with hydrated calcium sulfate, and a watery past on Mars.[1][2]

Broken area – Context View.
Broken area shows strong signals of mineral hydration (noted in red)
Viewed by the Curiosity Rover (January 19, 2013).

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (March 18, 2013). "Curiosity Mars Rover Sees Trend In Water Presence". NASA. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Rincon, Paul (March 19, 2013). "Curiosity breaks rock to reveal dazzling white interior". BBC. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "White Mars rock dazzles scientists". BBC News. 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
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