The most significant discovery regarding water on Mars, made by the ChemCam instrument on the Curiosity rover, was the existence of a long-lasting lake of neutral liquid water in Gale Crater. This finding indicates that the environment would have been habitable for life as we understand it.
Observing Halley's Comet at a young age was a pivotal moment for Nina Lanza. Looking through a telescope and seeing the comet, she realized that space was not a dome but a vast, three-dimensional realm with many undiscovered things. This experience ignited her desire to study space and explore the universe.
ChemCam is an instrument on the Curiosity Mars Rover that analyzes the chemical and mineral composition of Martian rocks.
This video features an interview with planetary scientist Dr. Nina Lanza, hosted by Richard Whis Scratch. They discuss Dr. Lanza's work on Mars exploration, particularly her involvement with the ChemCam instrument on the Curiosity rover. The conversation also touches on her early life, scientific inspirations, career journey, and her upcoming expedition to study Mars-analog environments in the Canadian Arctic.
Dr. Lanza looks for team members who are adaptable and easygoing. She prioritizes these traits over expertise because while skills can be taught, it's harder to help people cope with the emotional challenges of extreme environments. She values individuals who are willing to "roll with the punches" when plans inevitably change and can find solutions without becoming upset or rigidly sticking to original ideas.