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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Technology

NASA Curiosity rover finds 'super shiny' object on surface of Mars

NASA is to investigate the 'super shiny' object found on the surface of Mars (Picture: NASA)

NASA's Curiosity rover is to investigate a strange 'super shiny' object found on the surface of Mars.

Scientists said the rover is being sent to re-examine the small shining object, which is being referred to as 'Little Colonsay'.

"One of the samples that we try to get a better look at is 'Little Colonsay", NASA said.

"The planning team thinks it might be a meteorite because it is so shiny.

"But looks can deceive, and proof will only come from the chemistry.

"Unfortunately, the small target was missed in the previous attempt, and with the information from that, Curiosity will try again."

The rover has a tool on board called ChemCam, which will be used to study the object.

Last week NASA's InSight rover also landed on the red planet.

After it landed, Sue Horne, head of space exploration at the UK Space Agency said: "It is wonderful news that the InSight spacecraft has landed safely on Mars.

"The UK scientists and engineers involved in this mission have committed several years of their lives to building the seismometer on board, and the descent is always a worrying time."

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