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First, we helped develop the first atomic bomb, then we broke records for harboring concerned citizens in our trees for almost two years, and now Berkeley will partner with NASA in a mission to Mars. You can see the upward progression.
The mission, called the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) will study the planet’s climate history in an effort to understand how its once warm, wet and dense atmosphere came to dry up and become cold, rather like a middle-aged woman, actually.
We know what you’re thinking: but what does this have to do with global warming? Well, understanding the Martian climate may also help learn about climate changes on similar planets such as Earth. It’s “An Inconvenient Truth” Version 2.0. Al would be proud.
Berkeley will contribute four instruments and parts of two instruments to the mission, a grand total of $20 million. A hefty contribution to make during a statewide budget crisis. Maybe Berkeley forgot about us terrestrial beings, the ones suffering from a tuition increase and class cuts.
UC Berkeley to Take Part in $485 Million Mars Mission [Daily Cal]
Comments:
Sep 19, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I may be middle-aged and somewhat dry, but cold? I think not!