The Curiosity rover made an important discovery with a simple tool.

The apparatus "Curiosity" arrived on Mars in 2012,and during this time revealed many facts about the Red Planet. Basically, he used complex devices like drills and on-board laboratories, but for the recent calculation of the density of the soil in the Gale crater, he only needed a sensor, which is practically in every smartphone - accelerometer. In particular, the rover explored the soil structure on Mount Eolida (also known as Sharp Mountain), located right in the middle of the crater. It turned out that past ideas of scientists about the density of the soil in the crater were erroneous.

Previously it was believed that its density is 2810 kgper cubic meter - this conclusion was made during the analysis of its mineral content. It turned out that the rock has a much porous structure - 1680 kg per cubic meter. Scientists have calculated this by measuring the force of gravity on 700 points of the path, which was passed by the rover for 5 years. For the measurement, an accelerometer was used, which differs from sensors installed on smartphones only in the ability to measure gravity at different points on the surface.

Particular attention is paid to the moment when"Curiosity" began to climb Mount Aolid. Its foot was porous, which means that it was never covered with a large amount of soil - if that were the case, the soil would have thickened under its weight. Therefore, the mountain was originally what people see it now.

The research results add new intrigue tothe secret of the formation of high mountains. Previously it was thought that the crater was completely filled with sedimentary rocks. For two billion years, they were exposed to the winds and eventually formed a huge mountain. Now this theory is questioned - if it were true, the density of the mountain would be much higher.

In addition to the apparatus "Curiosity" on Mars is "Opportunity". He recently celebrated his 15th birthday, but for the time being does not get in touch - she was lost after a strong dust storm.

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