Scientists Test Mars Exploration Tools in the Scottish Highlands

Scientists are using the ancient landscape of Scotland to prepare for future space missions. Researchers from the University of St Andrews tested technology in the Scottish Highlands to help search for signs of life on Mars.

prepare for= 為……做準備

The tests took place at Lower Diabaig in Torridon because the local rocks are billions of years old. These rocks are very similar to those found on Mars and contain some of the oldest evidence of life in the UK. By testing equipment on these ancient rocks, scientists can better understand how to search for Martian life.

similar to those found on Mars= 與在火星上發現的（岩石）相似

Scotland has a long connection with Mars exploration. NASA frequently names places on Mars after locations on Earth, including Scottish sites such as Siccar Point, Holyrood, and Glenelg. Eight years ago, NASA's Curiosity rover even explored an area on Mars named after Torridon.

names places on Mars after locations on Earth= 以……為……命名

學習筆記

文法整理

句型	意思
prepare for	為……做準備
similar to those found on Mars	與在火星上發現的（岩石）相似
names places on Mars after locations on Earth	以……為……命名

詞彙整理

單字	意思
equipment	為了進行某項工作、活動或提供某種服務所需的器材、設備等物品的總稱。
evidence	作為相信或不相信某件事的根據；用來判斷事情真實與否的資料或知識。
landscape	從某一個視角所能看到的廣闊景色，通常包括山川、森林、田野等自然景觀。
exploration	為了發現未知事物而進行的探索或探勘。

延伸學習

•類比基地（Analogue sites）是指地球上在地質或環境特徵上與火星等外星球相似的地貌，常用於事前測試太空探測設備。
•蘇格蘭是現代地質學的發源地之一，因此 NASA 經常以蘇格蘭的地名來命名火星上的地質特徵。