March 10, 12:42, approaching the mystery of Mars
"Mars" is the fourth planet in the solar system from the closest to the sun.
The latest research has revealed new things one after another.
What kind of star does life exist in?
Get closer to the mystery of Mars!
NASA's Mars Rover to Life Exploration
In February 2021, NASA's Mars rover "Perseverance" landed on Mars.
The primary purpose of exploration is to find traces of life.
The image taken by the rover shows something like a stone on a flat surface.
A sound called "wind sound" was also recorded with the built-in microphone.
With the latest images and sounds, Mars is becoming an entrance exam question.
Challenge the problem!
Problem
Mars is shining red, but for some reason choose from a to d.
A. It emits light by itself like Antares in Scorpio, but it looks red because the temperature is low
. B. The atmospheric layer of Mars reflects a part of the sunlight and
looks red like
a sunset. C.
Mars Iron oxide (a component of rust) on the surface reflects the sun's light and looks red
. D. Muddy water covers the surface of Mars, which reflects the sun's light and looks red
(Sakurakage Junior High School 2004)
The correct answer is "U".
The rocks on the surface of Mars contain a lot of iron (rust) combined with oxygen, so it is said to reflect the sun's rays and look red.
Is Mars the Brother of Earth?
What kind of star is Mars?
We spoke with Associate Professor Yohei Suzuki of the University of Tokyo, who is familiar with life exploration on Mars.
Mr. Suzuki
"In a word," the earth that lost the sea ". The internal structure is the same as Mars and the earth. It is called" the twins of the earth "."
Like Earth, Mars is made of rock and is covered by a thin atmosphere centered on carbon dioxide.
History of life exploration on Mars
Does Life Exist on Mars?
How has Mars' life exploration progressed?
According to Mr. Suzuki, as a result of a survey using a telescope in the 1960s, it was found that the average temperature of Mars is about -60 degrees Celsius and the atmosphere is thin.
It was thought that there was no water or life.
However, since the 1970s, as exploration technology has advanced, traces of river-like terrain have been discovered.
Four billion years ago, there was water on Mars, and life could exist.
If something the same as Earth lived 4 billion years ago, would it still be alive on Mars in some way, not just on the surface?
Mr. Suzuki
"Many researchers think so. Recently, research on microorganisms in the rocks of the earth has revealed that a tremendous number of microorganisms live in rocks in an environment close to Mars. At first glance, Mars looks like a "world of death" with no living things, but in reality, it is expected that the rocks "may be full of life."
"Wind" is a hint
Under such circumstances, this NASA exploration started.
The sound of the wind on Mars was recorded, but Suzuki says that this "wind" can be a hint to find traces of life.
Mr. Suzuki
"Wind is an important element for the search for life. There is a place on Mars where water may be seeping out to the ground, and there is water on the ground. There may be creatures. If the wind carries them, you may find traces of them in any dust. "
NASA plans to explore for traces of life over the next two years.
Suzuki hopes that research on human migration to Mars will also accelerate.
Mr. Suzuki
"It is the ultimate dream to create a space where human beings live in extraterrestrial celestial bodies. If it actually happens, I do not know if it will be 30 or 40 years from now, but by that time human beings Isn't it in a situation where he lives on Mars? "
According to Mr. Suzuki, exploring the traces of life on Mars is also exploring the origin of the creatures on Earth.
The environment 4 billion years ago when life was born on Earth has already been lost, but it is said that traces of creatures and rocks from that time remain on Mars.
It is unknown how our oldest ancestors "replicate DNA and leave offspring" and how that very complex mechanism was born.
Mars' life exploration attempts may unravel the mystery surrounding the origin of life on Earth.
In "Migake, Curiosity!" Of "Weekly Maru-Knowledge News" (broadcast at 9:00 am on Saturday), we will delve into the news every week on the subject of current affairs presented in the entrance examination.
Let's think of "why?", In fact, "in the first place" that you want to know as a Kamakura caster!
You can also review the past on the corner homepage.
Please take a look from the link below!
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/