Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.
Ananya Srivastava
PhD candidate, Faculty of Science
Journey to Mars: Rosalind Franklin Rover's Quest for Life
The Rosalind Franklin rover will go to Mars in 2028 to look for life. Oxia Planum is a safe, flat region, selected as its landing place. Why Oxia Planum? Because it has lots of clay minerals and some of the oldest rocks on Mars along with landforms we think formed by rivers. Clays are known to support life and tell about the past environment. The rover will use PanCam as its eyes, allowing it to identify different types of clays. Martian clays can reveal the story of Mars; if it ever had oceans and is there any water left. In my work, I will use satellite data from various missions to map Oxia Planum and understand its geology. I will make tools to help the rover work there. My work will help the rover decide where it would be best to go, look for life, and do amazing science.
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