Mars Diffracts! X-ray Crystallography and Space Exploration

An epic journey into the role of X-ray diffraction in space!

Astrobiologist and intrepid science communicator Lewis Dartnell reveals the crucial role that x-ray crystallography is playing in understanding the formation and history of our planetary neighbour, Mars.

Explaining the techniques used by the Curiosity Rover to analyse the Martian surface, Lewis reveals what the discovery of clay might mean for the possibility of life on the Red Planet.

Joined by space scientists responsible for designing and operating instruments over 60 million kilometres away, Lewis delves into the mysteries of interplanetary exploration including: How do you design reliable instruments for use on other planets? Should we send humans to Mars? And, what does the next mission to the Red Planet look like?

Featuring instrument scientist Graeme Hansford (University of Leicester) and John Bridges, a participating scientist with the NASA Mars Science Laboratory working on the current Curiosity mission.

This film was supported by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).

Find out more about filmmaker Thom Hoffman: http://www.thomhoffman.co.uk/

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Видео Mars Diffracts! X-ray Crystallography and Space Exploration канала The Royal Institution