Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Scientists were stunned when a wheel on the Curiosity Mars rover recently cracked open a rock to reveal something never seen before on the Red Planet: yellow sulfur crystals.

While the rover has previously detected sulfur-based minerals, this rock is made of pure, elemental sulfur.

Join us for a live conversation with Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist, to discuss the significance of the finding as well as other notable discoveries from the mountain-climbing Mars explorer’s 12th year on the Red Planet.

Speaker:
Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, project scientist for the Curiosity rover, NASA JPL

Host:
Nikki Wyrick, office of communications and education, NASA JPL

Co-host:
Sarah Marcotte, Mars public engagement specialist, NASA JPL

(Original Air Date: Aug. 15, 2024)