NASA’s Perseverance rover finds ancient lake bed on Mars

admin 2024年3月5日

science & technology, science & technology - expert

©REUTERS

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

revelation /rev-uh-LEY-shuhn/

[noun] – the act of making something known that was secret, or a fact that is made known
The sudden revelation of the long-lost treasure map hidden in the old library thrilled the treasure hunters.

journal /JUR-nl/

[noun] – a scholarly publication or periodical where academic research studies are published
The researchers eagerly awaited the publication of their groundbreaking study in a prestigious scientific journal.

deposit /dih-POZ-it/

[verb] – to have soil sediments laid down or settled by water
After heavy rain, the river began to deposit layers of rich soil along its banks, creating fertile land for farming.

core sample /kawr SAM-puhl/

[noun] – a cylindrical sample of rock or soil that have been extracted for scientific analysis
The geologists collected core samples from various locations to study the Earth’s subsurface composition.

erosion /ih-ROH-zhuhn/

[noun] – the fact of soil, stone, etc. being gradually damaged and removed by the waves, rain, or wind
Coastal erosion poses a threat to seaside communities as the relentless waves gradually damage and remove soil and structures.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars, confirming the presence of ancient lake sediments in Jezero Crater. This revelation stems from the analysis of data gathered through ground-penetrating radar observations conducted by the rover. The findings align with earlier orbital imagery and scientific theories suggesting that certain areas of Mars were once submerged in water, potentially fostering microbial life. The study, led by teams from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Oslo, was published in the journal Science Advances.

Throughout 2022, the car-sized rover traversed the Martian surface, capturing subsurface scans with its RIMFAX radar instrument. These scans, akin to a cross-sectional view of rock layers up to 65 feet (20 meters) deep, revealed unmistakable evidence of soil sediments deposited by water at Jezero Crater and its delta, resembling Earth’s river deltas. The findings support the idea that Mars, currently cold and lifeless, once had a warmer and wetter environment. Scientists eagerly anticipate a closer examination of Jezero’s sediments, estimated to have formed around 3 billion years ago, using samples collected by Perseverance for future transport to Earth. Earlier core samples from Perseverance, drilled near its February 2021 landing site, revealed unexpected volcanic rocks rather than the anticipated sedimentary ones. Despite this surprise, both studies complement each other, with even the volcanic rocks showing signs of water-induced alteration. Recent RIMFAX radar findings indicate pre- and post-formation erosion of sedimentary layers, shedding light on Jezero Crater’s complex geological history. This newfound information bolsters scientists’ confidence in their chosen Mars exploration location, representing a crucial stride in uncovering the mysteries of the Red Planet.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you ever been fascinated by space exploration or the discoveries made on other planets? If so, what aspects of space exploration particularly interest you? If not, would you be interested in learning more about recent discoveries like the one on Mars?
Have you ever followed the progress of robotic missions like NASA’s rovers exploring other planets? If so, what aspects of these missions do you find most intriguing? If not, what could be some reasons people might find space exploration interesting or important?
Do you agree with the idea that the discovery of ancient lake sediments on Mars supports the theory of a warmer and wetter past for the planet?
How do you think the discovery of ancient lake sediments on Mars might influence future space exploration missions or our understanding of the possibility of life beyond Earth?
In the context of space exploration, why do you think scientists prioritize studying the geological history of planets like Mars?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

radar
complement
exploration
geological
newfound