U.S. Scientists Confirm Water on Mars
Laboratory tests aboard NASAs Phoenix Mars Lander have identified water in a soil sample; the landers robotic arm delivered the sample Wednesday to an instrument that identifies vapors produced by the heating of samples.
The robotic arm is a critical part of the Phoenix Mars mission. It is needed to trench into the icy layers of northern polar Mars and deliver samples to instruments that will analyze what Mars is made of, what its water is like, and whether it is or has ever been a possible habitat for life.
Mars is giving us some surprises, said Phoenix principal investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona. Were excited because surprises are where discoveries come from. One surprise is how the soil is behaving. The ice-rich layers stick to the scoop when poised in the sun above the deck, different from what we expected, from all the Mars simulation testing weve done so far.
The mission is examining the sky as well as the ground. A Canadian instrument is using a laser beam to study dust and clouds overhead.
A full-circle, color panorama of Phoenixs surroundings also has been completed by the spacecraft.
31. What was discovered by NASAs Phoenix Mars Lander on Mars?
B. Flowing rivers
D. Living things
A. The sample vaporized away
C. The samples got stuck inside the scoop
33. Which one of the following statements is NOT meant by the writer?
B. Scientists have been surprised by how the soil on Mars behaves
D. Scientists have been trying to know if water ice will melt
A. They are from America
C. They are from both America and Canada.
35. Which of the following do you think is the best description of Phoenixs Surface Stereo Imager Camera, according to your understanding of the passage?
B. It imitates human voice and is able to record slight sounds while taking photos
D. It is this particular type of camera that can take wide angle pictures
31-35 CCACA