LIFE ON MARS:ROVER
Nasa’s Curiosity Got Scientists
Excited
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
MARS
or MANGAL ( in Indian Astronomy ) can be seen in naked eye, REDDISH, in night,
if the sky is clear. It is fourth Planet in solar system, from SUN, after
Earth. To the human eye Mars appears red, but the European Colour
and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas
Orbiter reveals a striking diversity of colour. Its blue-hued images
are arguably some of the most eye-catching and surprising outputs. I have
posted the Image.
In
Greek Mythology, Ares is the Greek counterpart to Mars and is considered
the Olympian god of war. While the Romans borrowed their gods and mythology
from the Greeks, there are some distinct differences between Ares and Mars.
Ares is viewed as more unruly and impetuous, while Mars was depicted as more
prudent in his actions.
In
Indian Mythology, Mars or Mangala (Sanskrit: मङ्गल, IAST: Maṅgala) is the personification, as well as the name
for the planet Mars, in Hindu literature. Also known as Lohita ( lit. 'the
red one'), he is the deity of anger, aggression, as well as war.
In
Indian Astrology, Mars/ Mangal is considered very auspicious. In the mystical world of Vedic Astrology or Jyotish, Mars is
known as the Mangal Graha. Considered a masculine planet, Mars is
associated with qualities like leadership, strength, ambition, determination,
and physical prowess.
H.G.WELLS
wrote a book—a Science fiction: WAR OF THE WORDS. It was written between 1895 and 1897, and serialised in Pearson's
Magazine . In 1953, it was broadcasted as RADIO DRAMA in USA. People took it as FACT—and there was big
chaos. His story is- Aliens
from MARS invaded World, America
included. Killing Humans. The Armed Forced are already mobilized and they are
ineffective.
I
read it when I was a school student.
The
shortest distance from EARTH is 34.6
million miles when Mars is 3.09 light minutes away and longest distance is 250
million miles when Mars is 22.36 light minutes away. On average Mars is
12.72 light minutes away.
NOW
LET US LOOK INTO WHAT NASA HAS FOUND OUT:
A
Mars rover is a remote-controlled motor vehicle designed to travel on the
surface of Mars. Rovers have several advantages over stationary landers.
It is all yellow that generated new interest.
Nasa's Curiosity rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars by
uncovering pure sulphur after driving over and cracking open a rock.
This unexpected find has intrigued scientists and renewed
interest in Mars' geological history and potential for life, according to Space.com.
The rover's images show yellow sulphur crystals within the
crushed pockets of the rock.
These crystals were too small, pure, and brittle for Curiosity to sample with a
drill.
The rover clarified that elemental sulphur is odourless,
unlike hydrogen sulphide, which smells like rotten eggs.
It forms under specific conditions that scientists had not
previously associated with this location.
Sulphur is a key element for life, alongside carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus, which together constitute 98% of
living matter on Earth.
Previously, Curiosity had detected sulphur on Mars, but only
mixed with other minerals like magnesium and calcium.
Thanks to this, scientists are reconsidering Mars' potential
for life and its geological history.
According to Nasa, the sulphur seems to be present in many
rocks in the region.
“Finding a field of stones made of pure sulphur is like
finding an oasis in the desert,” said Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project
scientist at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. “It shouldn't be
there, so now we have to explain it.”
Curiosity
made this discovery on May 30 while exploring Gediz Vallis, which may have been
created 3 billion years ago by flowing water.
The rover has been examining the channel for signs of
ancient microbial life.
Mount Sharp is believed to have been wetter billions of
years ago than it is today.
The Gediz Vallis channel, potentially shaped by strong winds
or liquid water flows as Mars dried out, contains debris that hints at this
wetter past.
Chemical reactions caused by water have left pale rings or
halos near the edges of rocks, suggesting that these rocks absorbed minerals
deposited in the area.
REFERENCE:
1.0 Excluding “NASA” part—all information are available in
PUBLIC DOMAIN. I just stringed it.
2.0 On NASA, and Rover:-
2.1 https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-exploration-rovers-spirit-and-opportunity/
2.2 TIMES
2.3 https://science.nasa.gov/mars/stories/
2.4 https://www.space.com/nasa-mars-curiosity-sulfur-rocks
IMGE:-- Courtesy---CaSSIS. THE CRATER.
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