Space
NASA's Curiosity Finds Mars 'Rock-Ingredient Stew,' Could Possibly Harbor Life
Elaine Hannah
First Posted: Dec 14, 2016 03:21 AM EST
NASA's Curiosity rover has been examining the surface of the planet Mars, hoping to find clues of the planet harboring life. The rover explored the Gale Crater on Mars, revealing several rock layers.
It searches higher and younger rocks and the scientists found that Mars not only sports rock layers but also complex lake environments. These lakes formed sediments, which interacted with chemicals that are carried by groundwater. This leads to the discovery of "rock-ingredient stew" that could possibly sustain life, according to The Space Reporter.
John Grotzinger of Caltech in Pasadena, California, said that there is so much variability in the composition at different elevations. He further said that they have hit a jackpot.
Grotzinger explained that a sedimentary basin such as this is a chemical reactor. He further explained that elements get rearranged and new mineral form and old ones dissolve. Then the electrons get redistributed. He added that on Earth, these reactions support life.
Phys.org reports that the Curiosity rover had reached the Mars' Gale Crater in 2012. Its main aim was to detect whether the area could be favorable for microbes. Its mission in the first year succeeded after discovering that an ancient Martian lake environment had chemical ingredients needed for life. Currently, Curiosity is climbing lower on Mount Sharp to examine how ancient environmental conditions altered over time.
The researchers also found the presence of minerals such as hematite and elements such as boron. Grotzinger explained that variations in these minerals and elements indicate a dynamic system. He further explained that they interact with groundwater as well as surface water and this water influences the chemistry of the clays. On the other hand, the composition of the water also alters.
Grotzinger said that they are seeing chemical complexity indicating a long, interactive history with the water. He added that the more complicated the chemistry is, the better it is for habitability. He concluded that the boron, hematite and clay minerals underline the mobility of elements and electrons, and that is good for life.
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First Posted: Dec 14, 2016 03:21 AM EST
NASA's Curiosity rover has been examining the surface of the planet Mars, hoping to find clues of the planet harboring life. The rover explored the Gale Crater on Mars, revealing several rock layers.
It searches higher and younger rocks and the scientists found that Mars not only sports rock layers but also complex lake environments. These lakes formed sediments, which interacted with chemicals that are carried by groundwater. This leads to the discovery of "rock-ingredient stew" that could possibly sustain life, according to The Space Reporter.
John Grotzinger of Caltech in Pasadena, California, said that there is so much variability in the composition at different elevations. He further said that they have hit a jackpot.
Grotzinger explained that a sedimentary basin such as this is a chemical reactor. He further explained that elements get rearranged and new mineral form and old ones dissolve. Then the electrons get redistributed. He added that on Earth, these reactions support life.
Phys.org reports that the Curiosity rover had reached the Mars' Gale Crater in 2012. Its main aim was to detect whether the area could be favorable for microbes. Its mission in the first year succeeded after discovering that an ancient Martian lake environment had chemical ingredients needed for life. Currently, Curiosity is climbing lower on Mount Sharp to examine how ancient environmental conditions altered over time.
The researchers also found the presence of minerals such as hematite and elements such as boron. Grotzinger explained that variations in these minerals and elements indicate a dynamic system. He further explained that they interact with groundwater as well as surface water and this water influences the chemistry of the clays. On the other hand, the composition of the water also alters.
Grotzinger said that they are seeing chemical complexity indicating a long, interactive history with the water. He added that the more complicated the chemistry is, the better it is for habitability. He concluded that the boron, hematite and clay minerals underline the mobility of elements and electrons, and that is good for life.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone