A Mars rock analysis tool proved its mettle on a chance find from Arizona
One researcher's find resembles a Martian sample whose spots could be a sign of ancient life
Materials scientist Nicholas Heinz picked up this piece of weathered basalt with rust-colored specks on a hike in Arizona. It ended up resembling an intriguing rock on Mars and serving as a stand-in to test a new technique for studying Martian samples.
Nicholas Heinz