Mars, which is often referred to as a red planet due to its rusty iron oxide surface, is the fourth planet of the sun in our solar system. It has a thin atmosphere, which is mainly made of carbon dioxide, and a landscape that is characterized by massive extinct volcanoes with the largest canyon in our solar system. It is accompanied by two small moons, Phobos and Deimos and although it is currently inhospitable for human life, Mars remains a main goal for research and scientific research. Various rover and orbiter examine its terrain for signs of old water activity and potential microbial life in the past.
The atmosphere of Mars (loan: NASA)
Mars, one of our next astronomical neighbors, was examined by countless automated space and rovers. The Mars Curiosity Rover is one of the youngest, officially named Mars Science Laboratory and landed on the Red Planet in August 2012. The area of the storm crater, the climbing of Mount Sharp and the implementation of a demanding scientific analysis by Martian and rocks was examined over the size of a small car. It is equipped with 17 cameras, a laser for evaporate stones and various instruments for recognizing organic compounds. The curiosity has made groundbreaking discoveries, including evidence of old lakes and streams, organic molecules and seasonal methane fluctuations.
The curiosity was initially developed for a two -year main task. Thanks to its radioisotopes thermoelectric generator source, the curiosity has been on for over a decade, long after its expected lifespan. The suite of the Rovers' scientific instruments includes the chemical and camera complex (chemcam), the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to analyze the rock composition from a distance, the sample analysis on the Mars (SAM) -I-IIL instrument for the detection of organic compounds and the dynamic albedo of the neutrons (Dan) to search for examination water.
Curiosity Rover against the Mars landscape (loan: NASA)
During this extended mission, curiosity made several important discoveries that have changed our understanding of Mars. It confirmed that a storm crater once contained a sea environment with conditions that may be suitable for microbial lifespan, complex organic molecules that were preserved in old mud stones, and mysterious seasonal variations of the atmospheric metha covering that scientists have continued to demonstrate.
Overall, the Rover has traveled more than 25 kilometers over challenging terrain and gradually stepped onto the slopes of Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons) to examine the changing geological layers that represent different periods in the history of the Martian. Its longevity has enabled scientists to observe seasonal changes and weather patterns in several years and to provide invaluable data about the current environmental conditions of the planet and how they may have developed over billions of years.
The latest picture published by the NASA of the Curiosity Rover shows that a crazy and hair continues at 0.16 km/h. It may be the first time that the rover was captured from the orbit when it moves over the surface of the Mars. With regard to the front, Mars exploration continues to expand with more Rovers and the engineering helicopter, which examined the Jezero crater, while other space agencies and private companies are developing their own missions. These efforts focus on understanding Mars's geological history, looking for signs of life and evaluating potential human habitability. The knowledge gathered by curiosity and other missions is the essential basis when humanity creates a permanent presence on the red planet and Mars transformed from a scientific curiosity in our first interplanetary outposts in the coming decades.
Source: NASA Orbiter unpacked curiosity rover, the tracks make the next science stop
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