Earlier this week, scientists discovered liquid water on the planet Mars using ChemCam, a camera that uses laser technology to essentially scan the landscape for signs of life.
So … what now?
Delaware State University’s Noureddine Melikechi runs the school’s optics science center, where he helps develop laser technology utilized by ChemCam. Melikechi said the discovery has opened up a “new chapter” for scientists, who will have to use lasers to dig deeper into the planet.
“Those rocks have veins that are really narrow. So you would not be able to see it with a camera that’s really far, far away, but with ChemCam you can and you can see what the rock is made of,” he told Delaware Public Media.
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