What is ExoMars? It is a combined effort between the Russians and the Americans to drop another Rover onto the surface of Mars and see if they can detect Methane, which is the gas of "life". The question is simple: "Did life ever exist on Mars?" Why do we want to investigate Mars? The surface of Mars is dry and bathed in harsh radiation, and thus it is unlikely that life could exist there today. The best possible opportunity for the emergence of life on Mars was in the first billion years after the planet formed, when it was much warmer and wetter than today – similar to those present on the young Earth. Therefore, there might be evidence of past life preserved underground. One of ExoMars key goals is to follow up on hints from previous missions that methane has been detected in the atmosphere, and in particular whether it is produced by geological (soil) or biological (living) activity. The above rover will be sent to Mars and land where ExoMars finds the most methane gases. It will land and begin drilling into the Martian soil. This is being built in Russia right now and tested. Scientists have a goal of landing this rover on Mars in 2020. If life is found underneath the soils of Mars it will be an exciting day indeed!
Robots really do rock!
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |