WASHINGTON: The U.S. space agency (NASA) named a tumbling Mars rock after British rock ‘n’ roll band the Rolling Stones.
Astronomers spotted the mobile rock — about the size of a golf ball — when NASA’s InSight robotic lander touched down on Mars in November. The force of the lander’s thrusters caused the rock to roll about 3 feet away.
Hello “@RollingStones Rock” Who could hang a name on you? Um… us!
When @NASAInsight touched down on the Red Planet, its engines sent a rock rolling across Mars’ surface. We named it for the band. Take a closer look and learn how #MarsRocks get named: https://t.co/xY0TfoksJP pic.twitter.com/BZlABAMaZJ
— NASA (@NASA) August 23, 2019
Actor Robert Downey Jr. announced the honor Thursday before a Rolling Stones concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
“NASA has given us something we have always dreamed of, our very own rock on Mars,” Jagger told the crowd. “I can’t believe it. I want to bring it back and put it on our mantelpiece.”
(Agencies)
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