'Insight', Mars Rover Art Effect Picture Picture. Source: NASA
Is there an earthquake on Mars? Earthquake in English is Earthquake. If the Martian earthquake really exists, should it be called Marsquake?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently stated that it intends to fully satisfy the curiosity of scientists. They plan to send 'Insights' to Mars in the window period from May to June this year to carry out Martian crust, mantle and cores. Geological surveys, etc., took a closer look at what geological activities occurred there. It is expected that the 'Insight' can land on the surface of Mars as early as November.
Scientist of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Bruce Bernardert, chief researcher of 'Insight', said that seismology has revealed the history of the geological movement of the Earth for several billion years. As a rocky planet, Mars must also preserve the early history of its birth. Traces. 'Like caterpillars will certainly become butterflies, we hope to use seismology to understand how the entire planet was formed.'
A CT scan for Mars
When the rock cracks or moves, it will emit seismic waves that bounce off the entire planet. These waves travel through different geological materials and travel at different speeds.
The SEIS (Internal Structural Seismic Experiment) Seismograph on the 'Insight' Mars rover can measure the size, frequency and velocity of these earthquakes, providing scientists with multi-dimensional data through different materials.
A seismograph is like a camera that can take images of the planet's interior. This is a bit like taking a CT scan of the planet.
Mars' geological record includes lighter rocks and minerals. By analyzing the delamination of these materials, scientists can explain why some rock planets have become 'Earth' instead of 'Mars' or 'Venus', which is about understanding life in the universe. The origin of the location is very important.
Take a 'snapshot' of the interior of Mars
Whenever there is an earthquake on Mars, the 'Insight' will get a deep 'snapshot'. The team estimates that during the mission, it can obtain tens to hundreds of earthquake 'snapshots'.
'At first there may be only a blurry photo, but as we see more of the quakes, the deeper conditions of Mars will be described more and more clearly.' Benandalt said.
Unfortunately, Mars can only be examined in the location where 'Insight' landed. It is important to know that Earthquake studies on Earth are mostly measured from multiple stations. This is a challenge for scientists. The only point is that The data provided by seismographs will be resolved by scientists in a creative way.
Earthquake brings inspiration
Recall that the 'Apollo' project included a four-moon seismograph. Astronauts made vibrations by launching explosives and measured the seismic waves about 100 meters below the moon's surface. They also crashed the upper layer of the rocket into the moon, causing vibrations. Let instrument The moon crust was detected. In addition, they also detected the impact of the moon and meteorite thousands of times.
In the late 1970s, the 'Viking' rover attempted to conduct seismological studies on Mars. But those seismographs were located on the top of the lander and followed the rover in the wind. 'Humanity has not made a real Mars. Seismological research. ' Bernardette said.
Now, the 'Insight' drill bit will be carried deeper into the ground. Wind, pressure and temperature sensors will allow scientists to eliminate the 'noise' caused by the weather. Combining these real data will provide the most comprehensive geological 'snapshot'.
The 'Insight' project is part of NASA's 'Discovery Plan', which is managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center. The 'Insight' project was conducted by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Lockheed Martin built and tested the spacecraft. .
Source: Science and Technology Daily Author: room Linlin
