On Aug. 6, 2012, NASA deployed the Curiosity rover to explore Gale Crater, and 14 years later, the birthday bot is still beaming back photos. The latest show striking honeycomb patterns in the Martian regolith that stretch as far as the electronic eye can see. A few years ago, research into hexagonal mud cracks Curiosity found revealed the presence of persistent wet-dry cycles in Gale Crater. “But even more important is that wet-dry cycles are helpful—maybe even required—for the molecular evolution that could lead to life.” AdvertisementUnfortunately, we’ll have to wait for more information about these new honeycomb patterns, as they were found just last month.