Friday Headlines: 3-15-13

Friday Headlines, March 15, 2013

THE LATEST IN THE GEOSCIENCES

CURIOSITY ROVER FINDS CONDITIONS ONCE SUITED FOR ANCIENT LIFE ON MARS

The Curiosity rover did some chemical analysis of a rock called “John Klein.” What it found were chemical compounds consistant with formation under watery conditions and that could be utilized by microorganisms as an energy source.

Furthermore, both Opportunity and Curiosity rovers found these interesting rocks that are very similar in appearance and composition. Scientists believe that these, too, would have formed under watery conditions that would be suitable for microorganisms to flourish.

LUNAR IMPACTS CREATED SEAS OF MOLTEN ROCK, RESEARCH SHOWS

The Moon, much like the Earth, was at one point an undifferentiated mass of interstellar molten material. As it cooled, the materials divided into the Moon’s mantle and crust. Previous thought has been that this was the last time that any part of the Moon’s surface was molten. New research suggests otherwise.

When large impact events happened on the Moon, new molten seas were formed. The magma would cool to form rock that is indistinguishable in composition from the older magma oceans, but of a much younger age. This explains the unexpected discrepancy between models for the age of cooling of the Moon and actual dates assigned to Moon rocks.

SUN ERUPTION MAY SUPERCHARGE NORTHERN LIGHTS FRIDAY

Last Tuesday, there was an eruption on the Sun’s surface. Ejected materials might hit a glancing blow to Earth on Friday, March 15th. The result would be some geomagnetic anomalies which will increase the intensity of the Northern Lights on Friday. Here’s hoping for a dark and clear night!