UPSC Articles
Martian Blueberries find a parallel on Earth
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Space; Sci & Tech
In news
- According to a recent research paper, Martian ‘blueberries’ find a parallel on Earth.
Key takeaways
- In 2004, NASA’s Mars exploration rover ‘Opportunity’ found several small spheres on the planet, informally named Martian blueberries.
- Opportunity’s spectrometers noted they were made of iron oxide compounds called haematites.
- Presence of haematites suggests that there was water present on Mars.
- Haematite is known to form in oxidising environments.
Do you know?
- Study of the Jhuran formation in Gujarat (which is between 145 and 201 million years old) of the haematite concretions revealed that they resemble the ones on Mars.
