Data from the Curiosity Rover on Mars being studied by University of Calgary scientists
The Curiosity Rover has been gathering data from Mars and sending it back to scientists on Earth for 11 years. In that time, it's traveled more than 28 kilometres and gained 609 metres in elevation at Mount Sharp on the Martian surface.
Benjamin Tutolo is an associate professor at the University of Calgary's department of geoscience who is taking a careful look at data transmitted by Curiosity about the layers of rock in the area.
"It's sending us things like geochemical analyses of the rocks that it sees," he said. "Mineralogical analysis of the rocks it sees, beautiful pictures that we can all look at and say where this is geologically, this is what this means geologically and then also things like how much water is in this material, how much organic matter is in this material."
Tutolo says as the rover climbs the mountain, it's finding minerals in the rocks like magnesium sulfate that is similar to epsom salt here on Earth that's added to bath water.
"In order for water to make epsom salt, it has to be very, very dry," said Tutolo. "It has to dry out completely in order to precipitate epsom salt, so we know we're going from this transition of a wet lake up to a much drier, saltier environment as we go up this Mount Sharp in the center of the crater."
Tutolo is using the Mars data and comparing it to lakes in British Columbia. He's using computer simulations to understand the transition from the wet lake environment in B.C. to this dry, salty Martian environment.
Every three years, NASA has a call for scientists to participate in missions. At least 100 applications were submitted and Tutolo is one of two Canadian scientists approved.
"My proposal was selected and then I get to apply a second time to the Canada Space Agency (CSA)," he said. "They were able to fund the research so NASA doesn't give me funding, they just give me data and information."
Stephen Larter is collaborating with Tutolo on the three-year project. He's a professor of geochemistry at the U of C who's focus is trying to find signals in some of the Martian rocks that relate to potential life and past life on Mars.
"The Curiosity Rover has an instrument package on board that allows it to sample rocks," Larter said. "If there's any organic material there (the rover puts it) into a mass spectrometer and it can characterize the molecular signatures of this organic matter."
He says one of the challenges on Mars it there is a lot of surface radiation because the red planet doesn't have a strong magnetic field and its atmosphere is less than one per cent of Earth's, so it's constantly being bombarded by cosmic rays. That radiation has a negative impact on organic material and what's being found is incredibly small particles.
Tutolo says he's honoured to be part of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. He's amazed at the engineering and technology packed into the Curiosity Rover that allows it to transmit data 225 million kilometres from Earth.
"By comparing the way that Mars evolved and the way the Earth evolved, we can understand the role of life in the planetary system and we can also understand how the planet plays a role in controlling the evolution of life," he said.
Learn more about the Curiosity Rover here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.