The US Space Agency NASA gave Germans a unique gift to mark the 15th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany. It named four rock formations on Mars after things associated with that turning point in German history, said scientists at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz who participated in the latest Mars mission.

"After several countries were honored on their national holidays with features on Mars, NASA recognized our contribution to the Mars mission on Oct. 3," said Göstar Klingelhöfer from the Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry at the University of Mainz.

Klingelhöfer led the team that developed a spectrometer used by NASA in the analysis of the red planet's surface. He and his team members were allowed to suggest a list of several names, which also included "Berlin Wall," "Checkpoint Charlie," and "Glasnost." The final selection was made together with the head of the Mars mission, Steve Squyres.

Other countries that have namesake Martian landmarks include the United States with "Independence" and "Constitution," and France, with "Voltaire" and "Assemblée."