Martian Blueberries find a parallel on Earth

  • IASbaba
  • March 16, 2021
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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.

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