1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,900 Picture this, a one-ton robot dangling from cables, 2 00:00:04,900 --> 00:00:07,160 gently being lowered onto the surface of Mars. 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:08,780 Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. 4 00:00:08,780 --> 00:00:11,080 It was a real nail-biter back in 2012 5 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:14,720 when Curiosity touched down using that crazy system, 6 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:16,120 the sky crane. 7 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,340 Years of work, all riding on this incredibly complex 8 00:00:19,340 --> 00:00:21,120 maneuver, and it worked. 9 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,640 That daring landing, well, it was just the beginning 10 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:25,060 of Curiosity's adventure. 11 00:00:25,060 --> 00:00:26,840 It was the start of an epic journey 12 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,200 to unlock the secrets of Gale Crater. 13 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,720 Welcome to Cosmos in a Pod, Space and Astronomy series. 14 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:36,040 This place, Gale Crater, it might have been a lot like Earth 15 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:37,120 billions of years ago. 16 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:38,720 That's why Curiosity is there. 17 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:42,280 It's trying to figure out, could Mars have ever supported life? 18 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,240 The information it sends back, it also helps us prepare for it. 19 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,360 Well, for the day, humans might set foot on Mars. 20 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,360 The discoveries are just extraordinary. 21 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:52,960 Curiosity has changed how we think about Mars. 22 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:53,840 Oh, absolutely. 23 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:55,320 Before we get into those discoveries, 24 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:57,160 could you give us a quick rundown on what 25 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:58,800 makes Curiosity special? 26 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:00,680 What kind of tech are we talking about? 27 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:04,520 Well, first off, it has a nuclear powered heart, 28 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:09,240 a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, an RTG for short. 29 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:12,480 Basically, it uses the heat from decaying plutonium 30 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:13,720 to create electricity. 31 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,320 So it's got a pretty long lifespan. 32 00:01:15,320 --> 00:01:17,240 Doesn't have to rely on the sun for power. 33 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:17,760 Exactly. 34 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:20,040 It can operate for a surprisingly long time. 35 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,840 That's pretty crucial for a mission on Mars. 36 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:25,160 What about the tools it uses to study Mars? 37 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:27,400 What's in its scientific toolkit? 38 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,400 It's like a mobile laboratory jam-packed 39 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:30,700 with all sorts of instruments. 40 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:32,960 One of the coolest has got to be the ChemCam. 41 00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:35,120 It uses a laser, actually, to zap rocks. 42 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:36,960 And then it analyzes what they're made of. 43 00:01:36,960 --> 00:01:37,520 Wow. 44 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:39,680 A laser-wielding geologist on Mars. 45 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:40,360 Pretty much. 46 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:42,920 It studies the chemistry of Mars all from a distance. 47 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:43,720 That is cool. 48 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,320 OK, so we've got a laser geologist. 49 00:01:45,320 --> 00:01:46,520 What other tools does it use? 50 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,080 Oh, there's SAM, the sample analysis at Mars. 51 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:53,280 It sniffs out organic compounds, the building blocks of life. 52 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,840 And then there's MAHLI, the Mars Hand Lens Imager. 53 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,680 It takes close-up pictures of the Martian rocks and soil, 54 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:01,280 like incredibly detailed pictures. 55 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:03,720 We could never see this kind of detail from orbit. 56 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,920 It sounds like a real all-terrain science lab. 57 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:08,600 But why Gale Crater? 58 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,080 What makes it Curiosity's landing site? 59 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,960 Gale Crater is a massive impact crater. 60 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,080 And right in the center, there's this peak called Mount Sharp. 61 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,160 You can think of it like a giant layer cake of Martian history. 62 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:22,200 Each layer represents a different era. 63 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:23,320 A time capsule, basically. 64 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:24,360 Exactly. 65 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:26,440 By studying these layers, we can start 66 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,360 to put together how the climate and environment on Mars 67 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,360 changed over billions of years. 68 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:33,520 So it's like a time machine built into a mountain. 69 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:34,160 Right. 70 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:36,480 Plus, there's evidence that Gale Crater once 71 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:41,040 held liquid water, like ancient rivers, sedimentary deposits, 72 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:41,800 that kind of thing. 73 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:42,840 Ah, liquid water. 74 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:44,800 That's the key ingredient for life as we know it. 75 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:45,520 Exactly. 76 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,000 So Gale Crater seems like the ideal place 77 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,000 to search for, well, signs of past Martian life. 78 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:51,600 OK. 79 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,440 Gale Crater, a promising location. 80 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:57,040 Curiosity, a rover with a laser-zapping geologist arm. 81 00:02:57,040 --> 00:02:58,400 That's a great start. 82 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,800 Tell me, what exactly is Curiosity found 83 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:02,560 in this ancient Martian lakebed? 84 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:05,000 One of the biggest findings has been the confirmation 85 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:06,480 of ancient lakes. 86 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,720 Curiosity found sedimentary rocks, especially ones 87 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:11,400 that are rich in clay. 88 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:14,720 And that indicates that there were long-lasting freshwater 89 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,520 lakes in Gale Crater billions of years ago. 90 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:19,320 I mean, we're not talking about little puddles. 91 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:22,120 These were real, substantial bodies of water. 92 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:22,720 Yeah. 93 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:25,040 They could have supported life, potentially. 94 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:25,800 Wow. 95 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:27,480 Actual lakes on Mars. 96 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:28,840 It's just amazing to think about. 97 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,360 That really changes our whole picture of what really Mars 98 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:32,880 might have been like. 99 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:35,520 What other evidence has Curiosity found 100 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,680 that points to this wetter past? 101 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:41,280 Well, it's found mineral veins, basically cracks 102 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,760 that are filled with minerals, like gypsum, for example. 103 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:44,680 How did those form? 104 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,000 They form when water flows through cracks in the rock. 105 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:48,440 It's another piece of the puzzle that 106 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:52,080 suggests that, yeah, liquid water was once abundant on Mars. 107 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:52,960 OK. 108 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,320 So we've got ancient lake beds. 109 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,080 We've got mineral veins, both pointing to a much wetter 110 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:59,000 Martian past than we originally thought. 111 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,760 But what about the big question? 112 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,520 Any signs of life itself? 113 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:04,480 That's where things get really interesting. 114 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,600 Back in 2018, Curiosity made headlines 115 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:11,120 when it detected organic molecules in Martian rocks. 116 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,560 Carbon-based molecules, basically the essential building 117 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:15,600 blocks of life. 118 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:17,800 Does that mean they found life on Mars? 119 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,240 Well, not necessarily. 120 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,400 Organic molecules that can be created by processes that 121 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,480 don't involve life at all. 122 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,640 But the discovery means that Mars had the ingredients 123 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:29,080 for life to emerge. 124 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:30,720 That's a huge step forward. 125 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:33,040 So Mars had the potential for life. 126 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:34,720 What about in the air? 127 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:36,880 Has Curiosity discovered anything interesting 128 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:37,920 in the Martian atmosphere? 129 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:38,520 It has. 130 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:40,840 And this is something that's puzzled scientists for years. 131 00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:41,480 Yeah. 132 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:42,360 Methane. 133 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,720 Curiosity has measured these fluctuating levels 134 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:46,920 of methane gas in the Martian atmosphere. 135 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:48,120 What's so special about methane? 136 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:49,440 Why is that a big deal? 137 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:52,320 Well, methane is what we call a potential biosignature, 138 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:54,880 meaning it could be a sign of biological activity. 139 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:55,380 Ah. 140 00:04:55,380 --> 00:04:55,880 I see. 141 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:59,340 You see, on Earth, most methane is produced by living things. 142 00:04:59,340 --> 00:05:02,160 So finding it on Mars, well, it raises some pretty interesting 143 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:02,800 questions. 144 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,640 Is it possible Martian microbes are releasing this methane? 145 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:07,760 It's definitely one possibility. 146 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:09,280 But it's not the only one. 147 00:05:09,280 --> 00:05:12,760 Methane can also be produced by geological processes. 148 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,880 So the origin of this Martian methane is still a mystery. 149 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,800 It's one of the most debated topics in Mars science. 150 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:20,760 Sounds like there's still a lot to learn. 151 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,640 Curiosity is using some pretty high-tech methods 152 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,000 to make these discoveries. 153 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,280 Can you tell us a bit more about how it actually works? 154 00:05:27,280 --> 00:05:27,760 Sure. 155 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:29,920 One of its most important capabilities 156 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,920 is its ability to drill and sample. 157 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:34,880 It can actually drill into rocks, 158 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,400 collect powdered samples, and then it analyzes those samples 159 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,160 using its onboard instruments. 160 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,080 Like a miniature geologist with a jackhammer. 161 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:42,560 Right. 162 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,600 So what happens to the samples once they're collected? 163 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,400 They're analyzed by instruments like SAM, 164 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:48,600 which we talked about earlier. 165 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,480 SAM can identify the different molecules in the sample, 166 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,040 including those organic compounds. 167 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:54,680 It's a really powerful tool. 168 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:58,760 Incredible to think about this rover millions of miles away 169 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:00,880 conducting these complex experiments. 170 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,040 A real testament to human ingenuity. 171 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:04,580 Tell me more about these instruments. 172 00:06:04,580 --> 00:06:05,800 How do they actually work? 173 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,520 Well, take ChemCam, for instance. 174 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:09,120 It doesn't even need to touch the rock. 175 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,840 It uses a powerful laser to vaporize a tiny bit of the rock's 176 00:06:12,840 --> 00:06:14,040 surface. 177 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:17,720 And then the light emitted by that vaporized material, 178 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:19,500 that's what gets analyzed to figure out 179 00:06:19,500 --> 00:06:20,680 the chemical composition. 180 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,920 So they can figure out what a rock is made of 181 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:24,800 without even touching it. 182 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,480 What other techniques are used to study the landscape? 183 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:29,760 Well, Curiosity has several cameras, 184 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:31,840 including high resolution ones. 185 00:06:31,840 --> 00:06:34,960 These capture detailed images of the Martian terrain. 186 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:38,100 And those images help scientists identify interesting features, 187 00:06:38,100 --> 00:06:39,840 understand the geology of the area, 188 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:42,200 and, well, plan the rover's route. 189 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:46,000 Drilling, zapping rocks with lasers, taking pictures. 190 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,440 Curiosity is a busy little bee. 191 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:50,480 I imagine there have been some challenges along the way, 192 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:50,960 though. 193 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:52,680 Working on another planet can't be easy. 194 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:53,840 Oh, you're absolutely right. 195 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:55,520 Mars is a really harsh environment. 196 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:59,000 The rover has to deal with extreme temperatures, dust 197 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,280 storms, rough terrain. 198 00:07:01,280 --> 00:07:04,000 And then there's the fact that Mars is millions of miles away. 199 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,040 So even sending a simple command, it takes a lot of time. 200 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:09,540 So operating the rover under those conditions 201 00:07:09,540 --> 00:07:11,200 must be incredibly challenging. 202 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:12,400 It is. 203 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:15,120 One of the biggest challenges has been the wear and tear 204 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:16,680 on Curiosity's wheels. 205 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,560 I mean, they've taken a beating from the Martian terrain. 206 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:21,720 And the team has had to get really creative 207 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:23,160 to minimize damage. 208 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:23,680 I see. 209 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:25,280 So even with all the careful planning, 210 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,200 Mars can still throw you a curveball. 211 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:28,160 Absolutely. 212 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:30,960 And then there's the whole issue of communication delays. 213 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:33,840 Because of the vast distance between Earth and Mars, 214 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,040 it can take up to 24 minutes for signals 215 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:37,200 to travel between the two. 216 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:37,960 Wow. 217 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,480 So the rover has to be pretty autonomous, right? 218 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,480 It has to make some decisions on its own. 219 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:43,360 It does. 220 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:45,240 But despite all these challenges, 221 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,760 Curiosity has persevered. 222 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,000 And it's given us so much knowledge about Mars. 223 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:51,040 Truly remarkable. 224 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:52,340 It's a success story. 225 00:07:52,340 --> 00:07:54,880 It's already exceeded its initial two-year mission 226 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:55,880 lifespan. 227 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:58,760 And it's still going strong, making new discoveries 228 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,520 all the time, a real testament to the team behind the mission. 229 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:04,280 It's a truly inspiring story. 230 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,240 You know, it's amazing when you think about it, 231 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,320 how much our perspective on Mars has changed 232 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:09,880 because of Curiosity. 233 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:10,920 Yeah, it's true. 234 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,920 Before, Curiosity Mars was just this distant, rusty red dot 235 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:17,920 in the sky. 236 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:20,440 And now, we could almost picture ourselves 237 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,880 standing there on the edge of Gale Crater, 238 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:24,760 looking out at this landscape that was once 239 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:26,120 shaped by flowing water. 240 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:27,160 It's pretty remarkable. 241 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,000 Curiosity has really shown us that Mars 242 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,560 is a far more dynamic and complex world 243 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:32,720 than we ever imagined. 244 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:34,520 It's not just this static dead planet. 245 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:35,000 Right. 246 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,200 It's a world with this rich geological history. 247 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,880 It's a place where things happen, where change actually 248 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,560 occur over these vast stretches of time. 249 00:08:43,560 --> 00:08:46,040 It really makes you think, if you had to choose, 250 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:47,840 what would you say are the biggest takeaways 251 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:49,920 from Curiosity's mission so far? 252 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,960 What really changed the game for our understanding of Mars? 253 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:53,840 Hmm. 254 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:54,960 That's a good question. 255 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,640 I think I'd say there are three major paradigm shifts. 256 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,280 OK, let's hear them. 257 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:01,960 First, confirmation of past liquid water on Mars. 258 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:03,920 Before Curiosity, we had hints. 259 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:06,400 You know, we had these tantalizing clues. 260 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,920 But Curiosity actually provided definitive proof 261 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:11,480 that Mars was once a much warmer and wetter place. 262 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:13,560 A place that could support lakes and rivers. 263 00:09:13,560 --> 00:09:15,600 Exactly, possibly for millions of years. 264 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:18,560 That is a fundamental shift in our understanding. 265 00:09:18,560 --> 00:09:21,080 Because liquid water, as we know it, 266 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,040 is the essential ingredient for life. 267 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:24,120 Exactly. 268 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,560 And that leads us to the second major shift, 269 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:29,520 the discovery of organic molecules. 270 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:30,440 Mm, yes. 271 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,200 The building blocks of life. 272 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,920 This finding showed us that Mars had the basic building 273 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,440 blocks necessary for life to emerge. 274 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:40,800 It's like finding the ingredients for a cake 275 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:42,360 in a long abandoned kitchen. 276 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:43,760 OK, I like that analogy. 277 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:45,920 It doesn't necessarily mean that someone actually baked 278 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:49,360 a cake there, but it definitely opens up a possibility. 279 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,480 So we have evidence of a long-lasting, watery 280 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,280 environment in the building blocks of life. 281 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,720 That's two strikes in favor of Mars's potential 282 00:09:57,720 --> 00:09:59,120 for habitability. 283 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:01,280 What's the third big discovery that changed 284 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:02,720 our view of the red planet? 285 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:04,920 The third big discovery is the realization 286 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,640 that Mars has a much more dynamic and complex 287 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,000 geological history than we initially thought. 288 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,960 So more than just ancient lakes. 289 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,600 Much more curiosity has revealed that Mars is not just 290 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:16,280 the static, unchanging world. 291 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:17,720 It's a planet that has been shaped 292 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,680 by volcanic eruptions, impacts, and flowing water 293 00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:23,400 over billions of years. 294 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:25,080 It's a planet with a story to tell. 295 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:25,800 It really is. 296 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:29,320 And curiosity is helping us to read that story layer by layer. 297 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaking of layers, curiosity is still on the move 298 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,120 exploring Gale Crater. 299 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:37,200 It's currently on a mission to climb Mount Sharp, 300 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:40,120 that massive central piece we talked about earlier. 301 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:42,280 Can you tell us a bit more about that climb? 302 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,440 What are scientists hoping to find as curiosity ascends 303 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:46,640 this Martian mountain? 304 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,600 Well, each layer of Mount Sharp represents a different chapter 305 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:50,600 in Martian history. 306 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:51,360 Fascinating. 307 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,600 And by studying those layers, scientists 308 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,640 are hoping to learn more about how Mars transitioned 309 00:10:56,640 --> 00:11:00,280 from a warmer, wetter world to the colder, drier planet 310 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:01,040 we see today. 311 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:05,160 So curiosity is essentially traveling through time, 312 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:07,720 uncovering the secrets of Mars' past 313 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:08,960 as it climbs higher and higher. 314 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,200 That's a great way to put it. 315 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,280 One of the key questions scientists want to answer 316 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:15,440 is how long those habitable conditions lasted on Mars. 317 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,280 For how long was Mars potentially suitable for life? 318 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:19,040 Exactly. 319 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,760 By analyzing the rocks and minerals in each layer, 320 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:25,040 they can determine when and for how long liquid water was 321 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:27,840 present and what the climate was like during those periods. 322 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,600 So it's not just about finding evidence of past water. 323 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,600 It's about understanding the duration and stability 324 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:35,440 of those watery environments. 325 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,240 Because the longer those conditions persisted, 326 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:39,800 the greater the chances that life 327 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:41,360 could have emerged and evolved. 328 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:42,480 Absolutely. 329 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:44,920 And another question that scientists are hoping to address 330 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:48,040 is the role of volcanic activity in Mars' past. 331 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:49,120 Oh, that's interesting. 332 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,760 We know that Mars was once volcanically active. 333 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:52,320 Right. 334 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:52,880 Right. 335 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:56,640 And curiosity has found evidence of ancient volcanic eruptions 336 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:57,640 in Gale Crater. 337 00:11:57,640 --> 00:11:58,280 It has. 338 00:11:58,280 --> 00:11:59,440 What kind of evidence? 339 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:02,000 For example, it's discovered rocks 340 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,440 that are chemically similar to those formed by volcanic 341 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:05,520 eruptions here on Earth. 342 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:06,160 I see. 343 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,280 And these eruptions would have released gases 344 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:11,720 into the atmosphere, potentially altering the climate 345 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,400 and influencing the habitability of the planet. 346 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,240 So volcanoes could have played a role 347 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:19,640 in both creating and destroying habitable environments on Mars. 348 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:20,720 That's right. 349 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:23,280 It really highlights the complex interplay of factors 350 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:26,080 that ultimately shape a planet's habitability. 351 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:27,880 And it's something that curiosity is helping 352 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:29,840 us unravel piece by piece. 353 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,280 We've talked about ancient habitable environments 354 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:33,640 in volcanoes. 355 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:37,080 But there's another mystery that curiosity is trying to solve, 356 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:38,800 the mystery of the methane. 357 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,000 Ah, yes, the methane enigma. 358 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:43,680 You know, curiosity detected those fluctuating levels 359 00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:46,120 of methane in the Martian atmosphere. 360 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,200 And we still don't know for sure what's producing it. 361 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:48,800 Right. 362 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:52,080 Can you remind us why this methane is such a big deal? 363 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:52,720 Sure. 364 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:55,160 Methane is considered a potential biosignature. 365 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:57,960 Remember, it could be a sign of life on Earth. 366 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,920 The vast majority of methane is produced by living organisms. 367 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:04,960 So finding it on Mars naturally raises the question, 368 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:08,200 could there be microbes living beneath the Martian surface 369 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,320 releasing methane as a byproduct of their metabolism? 370 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:13,360 That would be a groundbreaking discovery. 371 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,280 Finding evidence of active microbial life on Mars 372 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:17,560 would rewrite the textbooks. 373 00:13:17,560 --> 00:13:18,480 It certainly would. 374 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,640 But it's important to remember that there are also 375 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:23,240 geological processes that can produce methane. 376 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,680 You know, certain types of rocks can release methane 377 00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:28,040 when they interact with water. 378 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:29,560 So maybe there's water underground 379 00:13:29,560 --> 00:13:31,040 reacting with these rocks. 380 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:31,760 It's possible. 381 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,120 There could be underground reservoirs of water 382 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:37,200 reacting with these rocks, releasing methane that slowly 383 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:38,480 seeps up to the surface. 384 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,880 OK, so we have two main suspects, 385 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:43,960 geological processes and biological activity. 386 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:45,380 How does scientists go about trying 387 00:13:45,380 --> 00:13:47,760 to determine which one is responsible for the methane 388 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:48,480 on Mars? 389 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:50,880 That's the tricky part, you know. 390 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:52,600 It's a challenging task. 391 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:55,240 One approach is to study the isotopic composition 392 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:56,400 of the methane. 393 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:58,640 Different processes produce methane 394 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:00,920 with slightly different ratios of isotopes. 395 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:02,440 Ah, isotopes. 396 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,080 Different versions of the same element. 397 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:04,580 Right. 398 00:14:04,580 --> 00:14:07,080 And by analyzing these ratios, scientists 399 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,640 can try to pinpoint the source of the methane. 400 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:11,760 It's like forensic science on a planetary scale. 401 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:12,600 It really is. 402 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:14,840 And it's not just curiosity that's on the case. 403 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,600 The European Space Agency's Trace gas orbiter 404 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:19,760 is also studying methane on Mars. 405 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:22,580 And future missions will likely carry even more sophisticated 406 00:14:22,580 --> 00:14:24,760 instruments to help us unravel this enigma. 407 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:26,320 It sounds like this methane mystery 408 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,680 will keep scientists busy for years to come. 409 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:29,880 Oh, absolutely. 410 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:31,480 It's a puzzle that has captivated 411 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:33,880 the imaginations of researchers around the world. 412 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:35,560 Trying to solve this Martian riddle. 413 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:37,320 And it's a testament to the power 414 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,120 of scientific collaboration, that we 415 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:42,160 have multiple missions working together to solve it. 416 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:42,680 You know. 417 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:43,840 A global effort. 418 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:46,720 It's a reminder that science is a global endeavor, 419 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:49,320 a shared pursuit of knowledge that transcends 420 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:50,920 national boundaries. 421 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:53,320 We've talked about Curiosity's past accomplishments 422 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:54,880 and its current mission. 423 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:57,120 But I'm curious about its future. 424 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,120 How much longer can this rover keep going? 425 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,480 And what kind of legacy will it leave behind? 426 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:06,280 Well, Curiosity has already far exceeded its planned mission 427 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:07,320 duration. 428 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,920 It was originally designed for a two-year mission. 429 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,360 But it's been going strong for over a decade now. 430 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:14,280 And it shows no signs of slowing down. 431 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:15,200 It's really incredible. 432 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:17,160 An amazing testament to the ingenuity 433 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:18,400 of the engineers who built it. 434 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:19,880 Yeah, they did an amazing job. 435 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:21,960 The rover has endured these harsh conditions, 436 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:24,800 mechanical challenges, software glitches. 437 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:28,080 Yet it continues to explore and send back valuable data. 438 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:29,240 It's a real survivor. 439 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:29,800 It is. 440 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,960 But realistically, how much longer can it keep going? 441 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,960 Well, there's no set expiration date. 442 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:38,280 The limiting factors are likely to be the wear and tear 443 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,040 on its wheels and the gradual degradation of its power 444 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:41,680 source. 445 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:43,320 So eventually, time will catch up with it. 446 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:43,840 Eventually. 447 00:15:43,840 --> 00:15:46,360 But as long as Curiosity remains operational, 448 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:48,920 it will continue to explore and contribute 449 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:50,280 to our understanding of Mars. 450 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,200 So it's like a marathon runner, pushing its limits 451 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:54,760 and inspiring us with its resilience. 452 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:58,000 And its legacy will extend far beyond its eventual end 453 00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,120 of mission. 454 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:01,520 Curiosity has paved the way for future missions, 455 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:03,720 both robotic and human. 456 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:05,920 Its discoveries have provided a foundation 457 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:07,840 upon which other missions can build. 458 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,360 And its data will continue to be analyzed by scientists 459 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:11,600 for decades to come. 460 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,240 It's like a pioneer, charting a course for others to follow. 461 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:16,920 And it's inspired a whole new generation 462 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:18,400 of scientists and engineers who were 463 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,760 dreaming of exploring Mars and beyond. 464 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,360 It's a true icon of space exploration, 465 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:26,240 a symbol of human ingenuity and our insatiable thirst 466 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:27,320 for knowledge. 467 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:29,240 And as we look ahead to future missions, 468 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:31,600 Curiosity's legacy will serve as a reminder 469 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,680 of what we can achieve when we set our sights on the stars 470 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:36,800 and dare to explore the unknown. 471 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:39,240 We're back and ready to tackle some even bigger questions 472 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:40,480 about what it all means. 473 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:43,200 You know, the search for life beyond Earth, 474 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:46,320 it's one of the most profound quests in all of science. 475 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:47,440 It really does. 476 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:50,800 It makes you think about our place in the cosmos. 477 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:54,440 Before Curiosity, Mars just felt like this distant alien world. 478 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:59,120 But now, knowing it once had lakes and rivers, maybe even 479 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:02,240 the ingredients for life, it just suddenly 480 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:03,680 feels a lot closer to home. 481 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:07,080 Curiosity has shown us that the conditions for life 482 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,560 as we know it, they're not unique to Earth. 483 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:10,960 The building blocks are out there, 484 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:12,200 scattered throughout the universe. 485 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:13,840 And if they existed on Mars, why not 486 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:15,480 on countless other planets and moons? 487 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:17,200 Like a mind blowing thought. 488 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,800 But if Mars was once so habitable, what happened? 489 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,000 Why is it now this dry, dusty desert? 490 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:24,600 That's the big question, isn't it? 491 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:27,600 It's a question that has puzzled scientists for decades. 492 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,240 It seems that Mars underwent this dramatic transformation. 493 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:32,480 At some point, it lost its magnetic field. 494 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:35,160 And that allowed the solar wind to strip away its atmosphere. 495 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,920 And without a thick atmosphere to protect it, 496 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:39,160 the surface water just evaporated. 497 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:41,400 And Mars became the world we see today. 498 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,400 So it's like this planetary tragedy. 499 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:43,880 Yeah. 500 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:46,560 You know, a once promising world, 501 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:48,440 potentially teeming with life. 502 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:50,160 It's reduced to a barren wasteland. 503 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:52,120 It's a bit sad when you think about it. 504 00:17:52,120 --> 00:17:53,800 But there's still a glimmer of hope. 505 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:56,960 Some scientists believe that life could still exist on Mars, 506 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,840 perhaps in underground aquifers or other protected niches 507 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,240 where liquid water might still linger. 508 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:06,280 So life could be hiding beneath the surface, 509 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:07,600 waiting to be discovered. 510 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:09,120 It's possible. 511 00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:11,600 And that's one of the main goals of future missions. 512 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:14,600 You know, they'll be equipped with instruments specifically 513 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,840 designed to search for signs of past or present life, 514 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:20,040 drilling deeper into the Martian crust, 515 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:22,520 exploring those hidden pockets where life might still 516 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:23,960 cling to existence. 517 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:27,120 It's so exciting to think that we might actually 518 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:29,600 be on the verge of answering one of humanity's biggest 519 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:30,440 questions. 520 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:31,960 Are we alone in the universe? 521 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:32,920 It would be incredible. 522 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,360 Even if we don't find evidence of life on Mars, 523 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:37,720 the search itself is incredibly valuable. 524 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:39,960 It pushes the boundaries of our technology, 525 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:42,280 expands our knowledge of the universe, 526 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:44,240 and forces us to confront our assumptions 527 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:46,200 about the nature of life itself. 528 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:49,200 It's the journey of exploration, not just of Mars, 529 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:50,000 but of ourselves. 530 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:51,160 That's a great way to put it. 531 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:52,760 We're learning as much about humanity 532 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:54,480 as we are about the red planet. 533 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,280 And that's what makes missions like Curiosity so inspiring. 534 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:02,360 They're a testament to our curiosity, our ingenuity, 535 00:19:02,360 --> 00:19:04,360 and our relentless pursuit of knowledge. 536 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:05,720 I completely agree. 537 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:09,120 Curiosity has been exploring Mars for over a decade now, 538 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:10,960 sending back all this incredible data that's 539 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:14,120 transformed our understanding of this once familiar, 540 00:19:14,120 --> 00:19:16,000 now strange world. 541 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,080 When you think about it, what do you 542 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:20,480 think Curiosity's lasting legacy will be? 543 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:22,040 Well, Curiosity has fundamentally 544 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:23,680 changed our view of Mars. 545 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,800 It's shown us that the planet was once much more Earth-like 546 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:29,560 than we ever imagined, with the potential for life. 547 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:31,880 And it's paved the way for future missions, 548 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,840 inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers 549 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,080 to explore the red planet and beyond. 550 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:38,000 It's amazing. 551 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:41,320 As we wrap up our deep dive into Curiosity's mission on Mars, 552 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:43,520 I'm really struck by the profound implications 553 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:44,800 of its discoveries. 554 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,840 We've gone from seeing Mars as this cold, dead world 555 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,400 to a place that might have once harbored life, a place that 556 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,440 still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered. 557 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:53,880 The mystery continues. 558 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:54,480 It does. 559 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:57,560 And it makes you realize that this sense of wonder, 560 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,680 this drive to explore, this is what makes us human. 561 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,520 It's what compels us to reach for the stars, 562 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:04,480 to seek out new worlds, to understand 563 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,200 our place in this grand tapestry of the cosmos. 564 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:08,360 Beautifully said. 565 00:20:08,360 --> 00:20:10,280 It's been an amazing journey. 566 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:12,640 From those first grainy images of Gale Crater 567 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,640 to the stunning panoramas Curiosity sends back today, 568 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,000 this mission has truly captured our imagination 569 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,760 and expanded our understanding of what's possible. 570 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:22,400 And the story isn't over yet. 571 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:26,200 Curiosity is still exploring, still making new discoveries, 572 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,720 still inspiring us to dream big. 573 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,160 If you've enjoyed this deep dive into Curiosity's mission 574 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:33,700 on Mars, be sure to follow and subscribe to Cosmos 575 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:35,400 in a Pod and our YouTube channel. 576 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:37,760 For more explorations of the wonders of the universe, 577 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:39,920 we'll be back next week with another cosmic adventure. 578 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:42,560 Until then, keep looking up and keep exploring.