Tintina (rock)
Tintina is a rock on the surface of Aeolis Palus, between Peace Vallis and Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp), in Gale crater on the planet Mars. The approximate site coordinates are: 4.59°S 137.44°E.
![]() Close-up of "Tintina" rock – broken exposed area is associated with strong signals of mineral hydration – as viewed by the Curiosity rover (January 19, 2013).[1][2] | |
Feature type | Rock |
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Coordinates | 4.59°S 137.44°E |
The rock was encountered by the Curiosity rover on the way from Bradbury Landing to Glenelg Intrigue in January 2013.[1][2] The rover ran over the rock and broke it. revealing white surface area in the rock.[3] This was the brightest material yet seen by MastCam up to that time.[3]
When the broken white area was analyzed with the rover's MastCam, strong signals of mineral hydration, as indicated by a ratio of near infrared reflectance intensities, were found. According to mission scientists, the mineral hydration signals were consistent with hydrated calcium sulfate, and a watery past on Mars.[1][2]


See also

References
- Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (March 18, 2013). "Curiosity Mars Rover Sees Trend In Water Presence". NASA. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- Rincon, Paul (March 19, 2013). "Curiosity breaks rock to reveal dazzling white interior". BBC. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- "White Mars rock dazzles scientists". BBC News. 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2018-02-02.