Rocknest (Mars)

Rocknest was a wind-drifted deposit of sand and dust on Mars, encountered by the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity in October 2012 (around Martian solar day, or sol, 61 of the mission). Located in the Gale Crater, Rocknest was the first scoop site and target for compositional analysis by Curiosity. The scooped sample was analyzed by the rover's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) and Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instruments. Analysis of Rocknest revealed the Martian soil to be similar in composition to soils analyzed by the earlier Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, containing minerals such as feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine. The discovery of water molecules and chlorine compounds within the soil were also significant findings. The information obtained from Rocknest provided valuable data about the Martian environment and its potential for past or present habitability.