A crater on Mars has been found to be “full to the brim” with gemstones. This may mean that there is water all over the planet. Furthermore the possibility of microorganisms living there.

A recent study found that the mysterious rock “halos” around cracks in a crater on Mars may be made of opal gemstones that have a lot of water in them.

What is Opal?

Opal is an amorphous form of the mineral silica that has between 3% and 21% water in its structure.

What is a gemstone?

A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal that is cut and polished and used to make jewellery or other ornaments.

Important Details

• According to new information obtained by NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover, an ancient lake bed on Mars that has since dried up may be teeming with opal gemstones.
• They may also be evidence that water and rock have been interacting beneath the Martian surface.
• Thus, this improves the chances that microbial life once existed there.
• Scientists frequently centre their attention on it when they look for clues of life elsewhere in the universe.
• Because water is so essential to life as we know it on Earth.
• However, due to the fact that water no longer flows on Mars, scientists are required to search for geological evidence of the water that once flowed there.
• There is evidence of these indications in the rocks and soil of the Red Planet.
• Certain minerals and structures can only form in areas where rock and water have interacted with one another.
• The researchers discovered that some of these cracks have lighter-coloured “halos” of rock surrounding them.
• Thus this makes them believe that these halos contain a high concentration of opal.
• To produce opal, silica-rich rocks need to be in contact with water.
• These findings contribute significantly to the mountain of evidence suggesting water was formerly abundant over Mars.
• This would help researchers gain a better understanding of the watery history of the planet.

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• How is NASA’s Perseverance rover doing on Mars?

Watch a video

NASA Curiosity Project Scientist guides this tour of the rover’s view of the Martian surface.

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