Mars' Hidden Water Secrets Unveiled by Curiosity Rover

The Curiosity rover has sent back some fascinating pictures from Mars. These images show strange patterns on a mountain. Scientists think these patterns might tell us about water on Mars a long time ago. Mars is a dry, dusty place now. But it wasn't always like this. Long ago, rivers, lakes, and maybe even an ocean covered the planet. The new pictures from Curiosity show signs of this watery past. The rover spotted crisscrossing ridges on a mountain. These ridges look like a spider's web from space. They stretch for miles and form a box-like pattern. So, how did these ridges form? Scientists have a theory. They think groundwater trickled through the rock. This water left minerals behind. Over time, these minerals filled cracks and harden like cement. This process created the ridges we see today. But there's a mystery. Why are these ridges only in this part of the mountain? And why are they so big? Scientists are still trying to figure it out. As Curiosity keeps exploring, it will study the ridges and the minerals that hold them together. This will help scientists understand if their theory is correct. The ridges contain small fractures filled with calcium sulfate. This mineral is a sign of groundwater. It's surprising to find it here. Earlier, Curiosity found calcium sulfate in other parts of the mountain. But as it climbed higher, the mineral seemed to disappear. Now, it's back. Scientists are excited to find out why. Curiosity has been on Mars since 2012. It landed in a big crater called Gale Crater. Since 2014, it's been climbing the foothills of Mount Sharp. This mountain is 3 miles tall. Curiosity is searching for signs of environments that could have supported life.