A rock on Mars spilled a surprising yellow treasure after Curiosity accidentally cracked through its unremarkable exterior.

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NASA’s Curiosity captured this panorama using its Mastcam while heading west away from Gediz Vallis channel on Nov. 2, 2024, the 4,352nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.

NASA’s Curiosity captured this panorama using its Mastcam while heading west away from Gediz Vallis channel on Nov. 2, 2024, the 4,352nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.

Gediz Vallis channel has long been of interest to scientists, including Vasavada, who recalls looking at orbital images of the feature well before Curiosity landed on Mars.

A wall of debris called Pinnacle Ridge looms over Gediz Vallis, and off in the distance, you can see the rim of Gale Crater, where Curiosity has been exploring since it arrived on Mars in 2012.

The Gediz Vallis channel is dug out on the sides of the 3-mile-tall Mount Sharp, which the rover has been steadily climbing for 10 years, according to CNN.

Where the crystals were found – the Gediz Vallis channel – may have been carved by flows of water, according to NASA. Curiosity Mars rover captured this view of Gediz Vallis channel on March 31.

The Gediz Vallis channel is an area rich in Martian history, an ancient waterway whose rocks now bear the imprint of the ancient river that once flowed over them, billions of years ago.

The Gediz Vallis channel is an area rich in Martian history, an ancient waterway whose rocks now bear the imprint of the ancient river that once flowed over them, billions of years ago.

Gediz Vallis channel has long been of interest to scientists, including Vasavada, who recalls looking at orbital images of the feature well before Curiosity landed on Mars.