Mars Has Layers | Space Wallpaper

By Space.com Staff
published

Mars has Layers
Near the base of Mount Sharp on Mars, layer upon layer of sediment formed these rocks over millions of years. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)

The Curiosity rover on Mars returns more and more data to Earth revealing amazing facts about the red planet. Near the base of Mount Sharp, the rover has uncovered layers of ancient rock. Experts surmise that an ancient Martian lake left the layers over millions of years of cyclical evaporation and refilling. Whale Rock, seen here, shows evidence of cross-bedding as well — rock with angled layers created by waves of sand. [See more of Curiosity's Mars images.]

Wallpapers

Standard
800x600
1024x768
1280x1024
1600x1200
Wide
1280x800
1440x900
1680x1050
1920x1200

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.