Tintina is a rock on the surface of Aeolis Palus, between Peace Vallis and Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp), in Gale crater on the planet Mars. The approximate site coordinates are: 4°35′S 137°26′E / 4.59°S 137.44°E / -4.59; 137.44.
The rock was encountered by the Curiosity rover on the way from Bradbury Landing to Glenelg Intrigue in January 2013.[1][2] The rover ran over the rock and broke it. revealing white surface area in the rock.[3] This was the brightest material yet seen by MastCam up to that time.[3]
When the broken white area was analyzed with the rover's MastCam, strong signals of mineral hydration, as indicated by a ratio of near infrared reflectance intensities, were found. According to mission scientists, the mineral hydration signals were consistent with hydrated calcium sulfate, and a watery past on Mars.[1][2]
