Here’s how Curiosity will use its laser to search for the ingredients of life on Mars
NASA ’s Curiosity is set to make its historical landing this come Sunday , August 5 . Once settled , the scouter will get to work analyzing the Martian Earth’s surface and atmosphere for signs that the planet was once capable of harboring sprightliness — or might be again . But what does it mean to search for “ potential ” habitableness ? To help us better understand the inner works of the roamer , we mouth togeobiologist Roger Summons , a prof at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an expert on the chemic signals of ancient life ....