
A rock crushed under the Curiosity Mars Rover's wheels has dazzled mission scientists in more ways than one. Mars is supposed to be the Red Planet, but the rock - dubbed 'Tintina' - is a brilliant shade of white.
The unusual colour indicates the presence of hydrated minerals that formed when water flowed through the robot's landing site in ancient times. Water-bearing minerals in Tintina and elsewhere add to the growing catalog of water evidence at this location.