All articles tagged with #scientific observations
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has entered a hibernating state due to a malfunctioning gyroscope, reducing its observational capabilities. Attempts to fix the issue have failed, and Hubble will now operate with just one gyroscope, limiting its scientific output. Despite this, NASA officials believe Hubble can continue making discoveries for the next decade.
NASA's Mars rover Curiosity, currently driving across bumpy terrain on the Mt. Sharp Ascent Route, was unable to unstow its arm for contact science due to the rugged ground. Instead, the rover conducted a ChemCam LIBS observation of smooth bedrock, documented a nearby exposure of bedrock, and investigated the interaction between sand and bedrock. Environmental data collection, including monitoring dust devil activity and cloud movement, was also conducted. The science team is preparing for Curiosity's weekend plan, which involves taking images and collecting data.
India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar rover has made its first scientific observations at the Moon's south pole, confirming the presence of sulfur through laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Preliminary analyses also suggest the presence of aluminum, iron, calcium, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen. The rover will continue to investigate the region for signs of frozen water, study the atmosphere, and determine the composition of the south pole. The discovery of water could be valuable for future lunar bases and missions to Mars.