The exploration of Mars has fascinated both scientists and the public for many years. With NASA’s Mars 2020 mission, the goal is to explore the possibility of life on Mars more deeply. This article shares insights from a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, where scientists are preparing for this exciting mission.
The Mars 2020 mission features a rover similar to the Curiosity rover, which is already on Mars. This mission is NASA’s first major effort in 40 years to search for signs of life beyond Earth. Project scientist Ken Farley points out that, despite many missions, including the Viking landers and the Curiosity rover, we still haven’t found clear evidence of life on Mars.
One big challenge in looking for life on Mars is not knowing exactly what to look for. Life on Mars might be very different from life on Earth. Recent missions have focused on finding evidence of water, which is essential for life. Sarah, another scientist at JPL, explains that understanding Mars’ water history is key to finding places that might have supported life.
To find potential life, scientists are searching for biosignatures—patterns or substances in Martian rocks that could only be made by living things. The Mars 2020 rover will use advanced technology to look for these biosignatures. However, to prove life exists, samples will need to be brought back to Earth for detailed study.
Ken Farley describes the mission’s plan to collect 37 core samples, each about the size of a piece of chalk. These samples will be left on Mars for future missions to pick up. Analyzing these samples on Earth will use techniques that haven’t been invented yet, showing how ambitious this mission is.
Even with all the excitement, Farley is cautious about finding life. He says that even if life isn’t found, the mission will still teach us a lot about the early history of the Solar System, which is important for understanding how life began on Earth.
The search for life on Mars isn’t new. The first image from Mars came from the Soviet lander Mars 3 in 1971, followed by the Viking 1 lander in 1976. Viking 1 did experiments to find life in Martian soil, but the results were mixed. While it seemed promising at first, later tests didn’t confirm those findings, leading most scientists to think there’s no life on Mars right now.
The Mars 2020 rover will have advanced tools, like PIXL, which uses x-ray spectrometry to study chemical elements in detail. Scientists will look for layered structures in rocks, similar to stromatolites on Earth, which show signs of ancient microbial life.
The search for life on Mars is also about protecting other planets from contamination by Earth life. This means spacecraft must be carefully sterilized, and there are rules about landing near potential water sources.
The Mars 2020 mission is a major step in understanding life beyond Earth. As scientists explore Mars and study samples, they are not only looking for signs of life but also learning about the early conditions of our Solar System. Mars might be like a time capsule of Earth’s early history, making this mission crucial in the quest to understand the origins of life itself.
Design and build a model of the Mars 2020 rover using materials like cardboard, plastic, and aluminum foil. Focus on replicating the rover’s key features, such as its wheels, robotic arm, and scientific instruments. This activity will help you understand the rover’s design and its role in exploring Mars.
Work in groups to simulate a Mars mission. Assign roles such as mission commander, scientist, and engineer. Plan a mission to search for biosignatures on Mars, deciding where to land and what samples to collect. Present your mission plan to the class, explaining your choices and expected outcomes.
Research the history of water on Mars and create a timeline of significant discoveries. Include information about past missions and their findings related to water. Present your timeline to the class, highlighting how water is essential for the search for life on Mars.
Imagine you are a scientist analyzing rock samples from Mars. Use images of Martian rocks and identify potential biosignatures. Discuss with your classmates what these features might indicate about past life on Mars and how they compare to similar structures on Earth.
Participate in a debate about the ethical considerations of exploring Mars. Discuss the importance of planetary protection and the potential risks of contaminating Mars with Earth life. Consider both the scientific benefits and ethical responsibilities involved in Mars exploration.
Mars – The fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system, known for its reddish appearance due to iron oxide on its surface. – Scientists are studying Mars to understand if it could have supported life in the past.
Life – The condition that distinguishes living organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. – The search for life on other planets involves looking for conditions similar to those on Earth.
Rover – A robotic vehicle designed to explore the surface of a planet or moon. – The Mars rover has been sending back images and data to help scientists learn more about the planet’s surface.
Water – A vital compound, $H_2O$, necessary for all known forms of life, often searched for on other planets as an indicator of potential habitability. – Discovering water on Mars would be a significant step in determining if the planet could support life.
Biosignatures – Indicators or evidence of past or present life, often sought in the form of chemical or physical markers. – Scientists are analyzing Martian rocks for biosignatures that might suggest the presence of ancient microbial life.
Samples – Small quantities of material collected for scientific analysis to learn more about a particular environment or object. – The rover collected rock samples from the Martian surface to be studied for signs of past life.
Exploration – The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it, often used in the context of space missions. – Space exploration has expanded our understanding of the solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Scientists – Individuals who conduct research and experiments to increase knowledge in various fields, including astronomy and biology. – Scientists are using advanced technology to study the atmospheres of distant planets.
Solar System – The collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the Sun, along with smaller bodies such as asteroids and comets. – Our solar system is just one of many in the Milky Way galaxy.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and research. – Advances in technology have made it possible to send spacecraft to distant planets and gather data remotely.
