Teia de aranha em Marte?

A NASA revelou imagens inéditas de formações parecidas com teias de aranha em Marte, capturadas pelo rover Curiosity no Monte Sharp, na Cratera Gale.

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Essas estruturas são chamadas de “boxwork” e se parecem com tramas cruzadas de pedra, como se um inseto gigante tivesse deixado sua marca no solo marciano.

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As “teias” foram formadas por minerais que se depositaram em rachaduras, após a passagem de água subterrânea bilhões de anos atrás.

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Com o tempo, o vento desgastou as rochas ao redor, deixando visíveis essas cristas resistentes. Algumas chegam a se estender por 20 km.

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É a primeira vez que os cientistas conseguem observar essas formações de perto, graças às câmeras do Curiosity.

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O rover também perfurou rochas e achou veios de sulfato de cálcio, indicando que a água passou por ali no passado.

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Essas descobertas ajudam a entender o antigo ciclo da água em Marte — e até onde poderia haver vida microbiana.

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A missão Curiosity agora foca nessa região, que pode revelar segredos sobre o passado habitável do planeta vermelho.

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