For First Time in History, NASA Curiosity Rover to Explore Martian Sand Dunes Up-Close

By Mark Aserit 20 Nov, 2015 02:46 EST

Mars Curiosity Rover — The Curiosity rover took over a year to drive to the foothills of Mount Sharp. NASA

For the first time in history, NASA Curiosity rover will get an up-close investigation at Martian sand dunes. The sand formation will reveal the evolutionary past of Mars, and it may also hold clues about ancient life in the planet.

The rover is now heading towards the dark Bagnold Dunes. Estimates from NASA show that the investigation will be conducted in the next few days. The dark dunes are located in the northwestern foothills of the gargantuan Mountain Sharp.

Studying the Bagnold Dunes -- named after British military engineer and dune researcher Ralph Bagnold -- is important to understand how Mars evolved from what it is today. Measurements from Mars probes show that the dunes have a width of a football field and height of a two-story building.

NASA officials said these Mars sand are active. Observations found that some of the dunes are moving every year by as much as 3 feet (1 meter).

The planned investigation will not only analyze how these modern dunes move, but it will also help to interpret "the composition of sandstone layers made from dunes that turned into rock long ago," said Bethany Ehlmann from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is located in Pasadena, California.

Even though Mars probes have visited sandy swales in the past, no active dunes were recorded. The previous investigations did not have an opportunity to analyze the dunes up close.

By the time Curiosity reaches the Bagnold Dunes, the rover will collect sand samples from it. The probe has onboard instruments that can scrape sand to gather enough specimen. It will also collect samples from the surface and subsurface to know the difference.

In comparison with sand dunes here on Earth, scientists said that Mars' dunes have a different texture.

"The ripples on them are much larger than ripples on top of dunes on Earth, and we don't know why," said Nathan Bridges, a researcher from the Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory.

The researchers have models of Mars' sand dunes based on the lower air pressure from the planet. In the latest investigation, they will have the first opportunity to make detailed observations.

Previously, the rover discovered habitable lake-and-stream system in Mars. The rover's primary mission is to find out if Mars is suitable for hosting life.

The rover was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Nov. 26, 2011. The cost of the mission stands at $2.5 billion.

Thanksgiving Fair and Luncheon Hosted by River of Life Foundation, ROLCC New Wave English Ministry, and Santa Clara Mayor’s Office

Santa Clara, CA – November 1, 2024 – The River of Life Foundation, in collaboration with River of Life Christian Church’s New Wave English Ministry and the Santa Clara City Mayor's Office, is proud to announce the Annual Thanks Giving Fair and Luncheon scheduled for Saturday, November 16th, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the River of Life Christian Church’s campus
Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values
In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and

For First Time in History, NASA Curiosity Rover to Explore Martian Sand Dunes Up-Close

Thanksgiving Fair and Luncheon Hosted by River of Life Foundation, ROLCC New Wave English Ministry, and Santa Clara Mayor’s Office

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.