The NEWS Syndicate

Rocks discovered by Spirit Rover, currently engaged in exploration on Mars surface, are being given names that are held in high esteem in public perception.

Agencies reporting Dr Steve Squyres, Principal Investigator of the NASA’s Mars mission, have informed that NASA has named one such rock as Odissi, the world famous classical dance form of Orissa.

Santoor, Kanchunjanga and Nilgiri are few of the Indian names that NASA has given to the rocks discovered.

“We’ve tried to use names from various cultures” said Dr. Squyres.

“Spirit is now barely 50 metres from the summit of the Columbia Hills, which was named after the Columbia Shuttle that met a tragic end two-and-a-half years ago. The Columbia Hills also has a hill named after Indian astronaut Kalpana Chawla,” he informed.