Weekly - Perseverance places first sample tube on Mars and more
5 points in 5 minutes
NASA develops new method to find exoplanets
There are many different ways of identifying exoplanets like radial velocity, transit, microlensing, etc. NASA has recently developed a new method of finding exoplanets by using a Coronagraph Instrument. This instrument dims the light of a star so that the exoplanets around it are visible. To know more about exoplanets click here.
Perseverance places the first sample tube on mars
The Perseverance rover on Mars has been collecting samples to return to Earth. It has now placed the first tube containing the samples on the surface. The rover collects 2 samples from each of its targets, of which it will keep one and deposit the other at the selected point on mars (a location called ‘Three Forks’) as backup. 10 other sample tubes like this plan are to be placed at the location. To know more about the sample return click here.
Insight lander retires
NASA’s Insight mars lander on mars is now officially retired. It was designed to study the interior of mars. The lander worked for 4 years and detected more than 1300 marsquakes. NASA decided to retire it after several attempts to establish radio contact with it failed.
New minerals found on meteorite
In 2020 a slice of meteorite crashed in Somalia, Africa. Recent research has identified 2 new minerals on that meteorite. The two new minerals are Elaliite and Elkinstantonite.
NASA begins construction of telescope to protect the Earth from asteroids.
NASA has begun construction of its NEO (Near-Earth Objects) Surveyor telescope which will help protect the earth from asteroids by identifying any significant threats. This telescope and the DART could be a great combination to protect the earth.
