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Pre-reading questions:
- When imagining the future of space exploration, what aspects do you think researchers and scientists are most eager to uncover or explore further?
- What comes to mind when you think about the possibility of life beyond Earth, especially on other planets in our solar system?
Vocabulary:
- surface /SUR-fis/
- current /KUR-uhnt/
- prospect /PROS-pekt/
- sample /SAM-puhl/
- layer /LEY-er/
[noun] – the outer or top part or layer of something
The explorer analyzed the surface of the ancient artifact, looking for clues about its origin and historical significance.
[adjective] – of the present time
The current weather forecast predicts rain later this afternoon.
[noun] – the anticipated opportunity or possibility of closely examining something
The prospect of a successful partnership excited the business leaders and prompted detailed discussions.
[noun] – a small amount of something that shows you what the rest is or should be like
The chef tasted a sample of the soup to ensure it met the desired flavor before serving it to the guests.
[noun] – a level of material, such as a type of rock or gas, that is different from the material above or below it, or a thin sheet of a substance
The geologist studied each layer of rock to decipher the Earth’s geological history.
Article reading:
In 2022, the car-sized rover traveled across Mars, using its RIMFAX radar to scan below the surface. These scans revealed soil sediments in Jezero Crater and its delta, suggesting Mars had a warmer, wetter past, unlike its current cold and lifeless state. Scientists are excited about the prospect of closely examining Jezero’s sediments, estimated to have formed around 3 billion years ago, using samples gathered by Perseverance for future transport to Earth. In a surprising twist, core samples collected by Perseverance in February 2021 revealed volcanic rocks instead of the expected sedimentary ones. However, both studies complement each other, with the volcanic rocks showing signs of water-induced changes. Recent RIMFAX radar findings reveal erosion before and after sedimentary layer formation, unveiling Jezero Crater’s intricate geological history. This boosts scientists’ confidence in their chosen Mars exploration site, marking a significant step forward in understanding the Red Planet.
Comprehension questions
- What did NASA’s Perseverance rover discover on Mars?
- How did scientists study the Martian surface?
- What does the discovery of soil sediments in Jezero Crater suggest about Mars’ past?
- Why are scientists excited about examining Jezero’s sediments?
- What surprising discovery did the core samples from Perseverance reveal in February 2021?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever found space exploration or discoveries on other planets interesting? If yes, what parts of space exploration captivate you? If not, would you want to learn about recent discoveries like the one on Mars?
- Have you ever kept up with robot missions, such as NASA’s rovers exploring other planets? If yes, what aspects of these missions do you find most interesting? If not, why might people consider space exploration significant or captivating?
- Do you think the discovery of ancient lake sediments on Mars supports the idea of a warmer and wetter past for the planet?
- How do you believe the discovery of ancient lake sediments on Mars might impact upcoming space exploration missions or our thoughts on the potential for life beyond Earth?
- Concerning space exploration, why do you believe scientists prioritize studying the geological history of planets like Mars? How might understanding a planet’s history be important for space exploration?