Mars rover Curiosity completes 1st soil test
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E-mail CNTV, December 4, 2012
Scientists say a sample of sandy soil analyzed by the rover's lab contained water and a mix of chemicals, but not the complex carbon-based compounds considered necessary for life. The rover did find a simple carbon compound, but scientists have yet to determine whether it is native to the red planet, or came from elsewhere.
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This is a view of the third (left) and fourth (right) trenches made by the 1.6-inch-wide (4-centimeter-wide) scoop on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity in October 2012. [CNTV] |
![This is a view of the third (left) and fourth (right) trenches made by the 1.6-inch-wide (4-centimeter-wide) scoop on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity in October 2012. [CNTV]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20121204/001aa0ba5c85122799a201.jpg "This is a view of the third (left) and fourth (right) trenches made by the 1.6-inch-wide (4-centimeter-wide) scoop on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity in October 2012. [CNTV]")
Scientists think the best chance of finding complex carbon is at a 5-kilometer-high mountain known as Mount Sharp. But Curiosity won't trek there until early next year.
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This pair of images from the Mast Camera on NASA's Curiosity rover shows the upper portion of a wind-blown deposit dubbed "Rocknest." [NASA] |
![This pair of images from the Mast Camera on NASA's Curiosity rover shows the upper portion of a wind-blown deposit dubbed 'Rocknest.' [NASA]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20121204/001aa0ba5c85122799d902.jpg "This pair of images from the Mast Camera on NASA's Curiosity rover shows the upper portion of a wind-blown deposit dubbed 'Rocknest.' [NASA]")
The Mars rover, Curiosity, has completed its first chemical test of Martian soil. So far, there is no definitive evidence the red planet has the chemical ingredients to support life.
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NASA's Mars rover Curiosity used its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to snap a set of 55 high-resolution images on Oct.31, 2012.[CNTV] |
![NASA's Mars rover Curiosity used its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to snap a set of 55 high-resolution images on Oct.31, 2012.[CNTV]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20121204/001aa0ba5c85122799fc03.jpg "NASA's Mars rover Curiosity used its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to snap a set of 55 high-resolution images on Oct.31, 2012.[CNTV]")
