Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

eppur_se_muova

(36,227 posts)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:49 AM Sep 2012

Nasa's Curiosity rover 'sniffs' Martian air (BBC)

By Jonathan Amos

Science correspondent, BBC News

Nasa's Curiosity rover has measured the Red Planet's atmospheric composition.

The robot sucked the air into its big Sample Analysis at Mars (Sam) instrument to reveal the concentration of different gases.

It is the first time that the chemistry of the atmosphere has been tested from the surface of the planet since the Viking landers in the 1970s.

The Sam analysis is ongoing but no major surprises are expected at this stage - carbon dioxide will dominate.

CO2 is the chief component of the Martian air, as the Viking probes found. Of keener interest will be whether a signal for methane has been detected by Curiosity.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19513490

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Nasa's Curiosity rover 'sniffs' Martian air (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Sep 2012 OP
... Javaman Sep 2012 #1
lmao Soylent Brice Sep 2012 #2
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»Nasa's Curiosity rover 's...