Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2022 March 9
    [2]The featured image shows a penny-sized rock on Mars discovered by
   the Curiosity Rover in late February 2022. The rock is unusual because
     it has several appendages that make it appear a bit like a flower.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                        A Flower-Shaped Rock on Mars
               Image Credit: [3]NASA, [4]JPL-Caltech, [5]MSSS

   Explanation: It is one of the more unusual rocks yet found on Mars.
   Smaller than a penny, the rock has several appendages that make it
   look, to some, like a flower. Although it would be a major discovery if
   the rock was truly a fossilized ancient [6]Martian flower, there are
   [7]less spectacular -- and [8]currently preferred -- explanations for
   its unusual structure. One theory that has emerged is that the rock is
   a type of [9]concretion created by minerals deposited by water in
   cracks or divisions in existing rock. These concretions can be
   compacted together, can be harder and denser than surrounding rock, and
   can remain even after the surrounding rock [10]erodes away. The flower
   structure may also be caused by [11]crystal clusters. The [12]small
   rock, named Blackthorn Salt, has similarities to [13]previously
   [14]imaged [15]Martian [16]pebbles. The [17]featured image was taken by
   the [18]Curiosity rover on [19]Mars in late February. Scientists will
   continue to study data and images taken of this -- and similar --
   surprising [20]Martian rocks.

                   Review: [21]Last Year in Space Pictures
                Tomorrow's picture: the toucan's star cluster
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [33]Robert Nemiroff ([34]MTU) & [35]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([36]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Phillip Newman [37]Specific rights apply.
              [38]NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
                A service of: [39]ASD at [40]NASA / [41]GSFC
                           & [42]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2203/FlowerRock_Curiosity_1561.jpg
   3. http://www.nasa.gov/
   4. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
   5. http://www.msss.com/
   6. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia25077-curiosity-finds-a-martian-flower
   7. https://i0.wp.com/mrfrs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/MRFRS_SadCat.jpg
   8. https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/sites/default/files/why-should-i-spay-my-new-kitten-138101629.jpg
   9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concretion
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion
  11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_cluster
  12. https://www.universetoday.com/154699/curiosity-finds-a-bizarre-rock-on-mars-that-looks-like-a-flower/
  13. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140929.html
  14. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap060126.html
  15. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap040817.html
  16. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap040405.html
  17. https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/26587/curiosity-finds-a-martian-flower/
  18. https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/home/
  19. https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/mars/in-depth/
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap991030.html
  21. https://youtu.be/XufZ9r_HsQQ
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220308.html
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  26. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod.rss
  29. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  30. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  31. http://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=220309
  32. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220310.html
  33. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  34. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  35. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  36. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  37. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  39. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/
  41. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  42. http://www.mtu.edu/