This is a pretty big deal. This is the first time that something man-made, as far as we know, has drilled into the bedrock on Mars to obtain a sample. Up until now, we’ve only literally brushed the surface or perhaps used some abrasion tools to get a little deeper. The hole is only about 2.5 inches deep and 0.63 inches wide, but this will give scientists access to the fine-grained sedimentary bedrock. This sample could reveal all sorts of secrets about the Martian past, including when it once had a wet surface.

We can’t expect to get some crazy results instantaneously, of course. Over the next few days, the Curiosity rover will need to blast off the internal surfaces of the drill bit with some Martian dust, ensuring that it’s not contaminating the sample with anything it brought along with it from Earth. After that, Curiosity and its instruments will example the sample and send those test results back to scientists here on Earth. After being put through a sieve, the super fine dust will then go through the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) and Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instruments for analysis.

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Recently the Mars Curiosity Rover found something very, very interesting.  During its regular shutterbugging activities, the rover found a very small, shiny, metal looking object that appears to be sticking out of a rock.

Is this proof that Martians did or still do exist? While scientists have no idea what it is, the half centimeter tall does make the mind wander with possibilities.  While more than likely a natural formation of minerals, it is clearly different than the surrounding rock which allows the possibilities for some grander explanations.

The object was found by the Curiosity Rover on January 30^th and NASA has no idea what it may be and we may really never know. Still, wouldn’t it be amazing if it turned out to be the remains of a crashed alien ship or perhaps some remaining sign of a Martian civilization that is no more? Not likely, but interesting none the less. What do you think this metal-like object really is?

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