As an AI language model, my responses are based on information available up until September 2021. Here are five groundbreaking discoveries made by NASA in the last year leading up to that time:
1. Mars Perseverance Rover
In February 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars. This mission aims to search for signs of ancient life, collect and store Martian rock samples for future return to Earth, and test new technologies for future human exploration of Mars.
2. Water on the Moon
In October 2020, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) confirmed the presence of water molecules on the sunlit surface of the Moon. This discovery suggests that water may be more widespread across the lunar surface than previously thought, opening up possibilities for future human exploration and sustained lunar missions.
3. Solar System’s Interstellar Visitor
In 2017, an interstellar object named ‘Oumuamua’ passed through our solar system. In November 2020, NASA confirmed the existence of a second interstellar visitor called 2I/Borisov. The observations of these interstellar objects provide valuable insights into the formation and dynamics of planetary systems beyond our own.
4. OSIRIS-REx Mission
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully collected a sample from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020. This is the first time a U.S. mission has gathered a pristine sample from an asteroid and will provide scientists with valuable information about the early solar system and the origins of life on Earth.
5. Exoplanet Discoveries
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has continued to make significant discoveries in its search for exoplanets. TESS has identified numerous exoplanet candidates, including some potentially habitable worlds within the habitable zone of their host stars. These findings contribute to our understanding of the prevalence and diversity of planets beyond our solar system.
Please note that new discoveries and advancements continue to be made by NASA, and there may have been additional groundbreaking discoveries since September 2021 that are not reflected in my response. It’s always a good idea to refer to the latest news and updates from NASA and scientific sources for the most up-to-date information.
