The Curiosity Rover has just accomplished exactly what it was set out to do . According to NASA scientist , the investigation ’s latest analytic thinking of a Martian rock sample distribution shows that ancient Mars was once capable of supporting hold up microbes . It ’s not confirmation of life ; rather , it ’s evidence for the Red Planet ’s diachronic electric potential to host life .
Last calendar month , Curiosity drilled some samples out of a aqueous rock near an old river layer in Gale Crater . This geologic field used to feature a serial of stream channels , leaving behind exquisitely grained bedrock indicative of antecedently wet weather .
Using the rover ’s onboard instrumentation , NASA scientists analyzed these samples to detect some of the critical elements required for life , including S , nitrogen , H , oxygen , daystar , and carbon . Back here on Earth , microbe use sulfates and sulfides as sources of energy .
And indeed , this was the the very core of the mission . wonder is essentially serving as a robotic geologist , equip with such tools as the Sample Analysis at Mars ( SAM ) scheme and the Chemistry and Mineralogy X - Ray Diffraction / X - Ray Fluorescence Instrument ( CheMin ) which it utilise to name and measure teemingness of various mineral on Mars .
As geobiologistRoger Summonsof MITtold io9 just prior to the mission , Curiosity can execute basic geochemistry as it assess the Martian landscape and atmosphere for its potential to nurse life sentence at some stop in the planet ’s past times .
“ Once we have more geologic entropy , then we can begin to make valid surmisal about the early conditions for life on Mars , ” he told us .
And indeed , that information is starting to come in , and it looks very hopeful .
Data returned from SAM and CheMin evoke that the ancient river system that Curiosity finds itself in , or what might have been an intermittently wet lake bed , could have provided enough chemical substance vim and other condition suitable for microbial life . rock and roll find in the area are comprised of a fine - grained mudstone containing stiff and sulfate mineral , along with other chemicals . Moreover , this area was n’t oxidizing , acidic , or salty .
harmonise to NASA scientist David Blake , clay mineral make up at least 20 % of the composition of the sample taken by Curiosity . This clay could have take form when water on Mars mixed with other minerals .
In addition , scientists notice a assortment of oxidise , less - oxidize , and un - oxidise chemical , compounds that can provide the energy involve to sustain microbial liveliness .
make a motion fore , Curiosity will explore the Yellowknife Bay area in anticipation of its speculation towards Mount Sharp where NASA scientist expect the investigation to find more Lucius Clay and sulfate minerals .
generator and images : NASA .
oddment roverexobiologyMarsNASAScienceSpace
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