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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Curiosity plays in the mud

Curiosity plays in the mud
Curiosity plays in the mud NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover found these preserved, ancient mud cracks that scientists believe were formed after long cycles of wet and dry conditions over many years. The hexagonal mud cracks are similar to those found at locations on Earth such as Death Valley National Park, which form under similar alternating wet and dry conditions. The discovery marks the first evidence of these wet-dry cycles on Mars. The image was captured on June 20, 2021 and released by NASA on Aug. 9, 2023. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/IRAP