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                           Astronomy Picture of the Day   
      
       Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our   
         fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation   
                       written by a professional astronomer.   
      
                                   2024 July 31   
      Part of a large rock on Mars is shown being mostly orange. On the rock   
      are several irregular light-colored areas surrounded by a dark border.   
      The spots are only millimeters across but might carry big implications.   
             Please see the explanation for more detailed information.   
      
                          Leopard Spots on Martian Rocks   
             Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, MSSS, Perseverance Rover   
      
      Explanation: What is creating these unusual spots? Light-colored spots   
      on Martian rocks, each surrounded by a dark border, were discovered   
      earlier this month by NASA's Perseverance Rover currently exploring   
      Mars. Dubbed leopard spots because of their seemingly similarity to   
      markings on famous Earth-bound predators, these curious patterns are   
      being studied with the possibility they were created by ancient Martian   
      life. The pictured spots measure only millimeters across and were   
      discovered on a larger rock named Cheyava Falls. The exciting but   
      unproven speculation is that long ago, microbes generated energy with   
      chemical reactions that turned rock from red to white while leaving a   
      dark ring, like some similarly appearing spots on Earth rocks. Although   
      other non-biological explanations may ultimately prevail, speculation   
      focusing on this potential biological origin is causing much intrigue.   
      
            New Mirror: APOD is now available from Brazil in Portuguese   
                          Tomorrow's picture: open space   
        __________________________________________________________________   
      
          Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)   
               NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.   
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