Over the past several days you've used spectroscopes to discover that each element on the periodic table has its own emission spectrum. How has that knowledge been useful on Mars? Watch the following clip to see:
Emission Spectrum (spectrum photos by Dr. Alan J. Jircitano)
Below are emission spectra from twelve different elements. Clicking on one will make it bigger.
One of Curiosity's biggest missions is to find traces of elements and minerals that could have been used by life or produced by life. If you were the scientist in charge of investigating the question whether life exited on Mars, which elements would excite you the most?
Below are emission spectra from twelve different elements. Clicking on one will make it bigger.
One of Curiosity's biggest missions is to find traces of elements and minerals that could have been used by life or produced by life. If you were the scientist in charge of investigating the question whether life exited on Mars, which elements would excite you the most?
The Curiosity Rover just sent back some of its ChemCam data for you to analyze. What elements did it find in this rock?
Using Absorption Patterns to Figure Out What Stars & Planets are Made Of
Click here to go to KhanAcademy's Absorption Spectrum tool