Curiosity rover finds missing carbon on Mars

Scientists have long believed that Mars was once warm enough host liquid water. This means the planet must have once had an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide: however, scientists have been unable to detect evidence of this carbon. Now, Nasa’s Curiosity rover has found evidence of carbonate abundant rocks in a dried up Martian lake that could answer this mystery. Use this story and the downloadable summary slide to provide context for 14–16 lessons on Earth’s atmosphere and the greenhouse effect.