Astronomy Picture of the Day · March 9, 2022

A Flower-Shaped Rock on Mars

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for March 9, 2022 is “A Flower-Shaped Rock on Mars,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , MSSS. The original explanation runs about 178 words.

The featured image shows a penny-sized rock on Mars discovered by the Curiosity Rover in late February 2022. The rock is unusual because it has several appendages that make it appear a bit like a flower. Please see the explanation for more — Credit: Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , MSSS Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“It is one of the more unusual rocks yet found on Mars. Smaller than a penny, the rock has several appendages that make it look, to some, like a flower.”

— APOD editors, March 9, 2022

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: March 9, 2022
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , MSSS
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 178 words

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Topics in this entry

Mars

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: March 9 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, March 9, 2022 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2022-march-9-a-flower-shaped-rock-on-mars

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.