Curiosity, which NASA bills as the next generation of Mars rover, successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida from atop an Atlas V rocket just a few minutes ago. Now, the most critical part of its journey a thing of the past, hopefully, Curiosity will soon be on its month-long trip to the Red Planet.
For NASA, Curiosity represents the next generation of Mars rovers, serving as a successor to Spirit and Opportunity (landed 2004), which served as successors toSojourner (landed 1997). Curiosity is due to land in August, 2012, during which it will attempt to discover whether Mars ever was home to/was once suitable for life. The 8 main objectives of the mission are as follows:
1.Determine the nature/amount of organic compounds
2. Identify the building blocks of life as we know it
3. Look for traces of past life
4. Investigate Martian geology
5. Discover how rocks/soils were formed
6. Assess atmospheric evolution
7. Try and understand the current water cycle
8. Identify the surface radiation from the Sun
In terms of what the rover has to offer, it is truly ambitious.
To start with, the rover will be powered nuclear, rather than solar energy like its predecessors, which means that Curiosity will be able to operate year-round. The rover will carry 3 cameras, a laser several spectrometers, a sampling tool, a radiation detector, atmospheric assessment tools, water detector, as well as navigation cameras designed to help the rover act autonomously by helping it avoid hazards on the Martian surface.
In all, this rover makes all past robotic explorers look like toys in comparison. Hopefully, this mission will go the way of Spirit and Opportunity rather than that ofPhobos-Grunt.
Want to see Mars for yourself? Well, you're in luck, sort of. Right now, Mars is only getting better and better placed for observing, whether with the eye (look for the distinct reddish glow) or telescopically (crank up the power and see if you can spot any surface features). Unfortunately, mars doesn't even rise until about midnight, which puts the best observing time in the predawn hours, which means getting up rather early thanks to the time change.
Now for viewing. The Cleveland area weather forecast is looking very iffy for the next week. So, for an even more up-to date, hour-by-hour forecast, check out the Cleveland Clear Sky Clock to see what the night will bring. Live somewhere else? Find a clock near you.
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