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NASA has channeled a large portion of
the agency's resources into the unmanned exploration of the planets, moons
and asteroids in our solar system. The recent successful Mars Rovers
have relayed to Earth a substantial amount of information about the Martian
environment. One of the most prominent goals to date was to
determine if water was, or is currently present on the Martian surface or in
its atmosphere. Scientists at NASA have developed a strategic
plan through the next decade for the continued exploration of our neighbor in
space. Future missions will have the goals of the continued
determination of the chemical composition of the surface. Additionally,
robotic explorers will be designed to search for evidence of life forms that
may have inhabited Mars in the past or life forms that may even be inhabiting
Mars in the present. (1)
Recent discoveries of life forms
existing under the harshest conditions on Earth (undersea volcanic heat
vents, Arctic ice) have bolstered scientists hopes that similar life forms
could persist under the harsh conditions of the Martian environment. It
is hypothesized that hearty organisms such as cyanobacteria may be present on
the Martian surface. Compounds such as chlorophyl or amino acids
could also provide clues to the past existence of life on the planet.
Analysis of geological samples for carbonate or sulfate minerals could also
yield valuable clues in this quest. (2)
Over the next decade, multiple unmanned
missions to Mars are planned to help answer the many questions we have about
the Red planet. In order to analyze the Martian environment, suitable
tools for analysis must be adapted from their Earth-bound laboratory form
to be used robotically under non-ideal conditions. One such
instrument for analysis is the Raman Spectrophotometer. Raman
spectroscopy is uniquely capable of determining the composition of rock and
soil samples and organic compounds. What is the theory behind Raman
Spectroscopy? Click on the Raman Spectroscopy link to find out
more.
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