Mars discovery: one for the history books

NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity has apparently made a discovery “for the history books,” but we'll have to wait a few weeks to find out what the new Red Planet find may be, media reports suggest. The discovery was made by Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument. SAM is the rover's onboard chemistry lab, and it's capable of identifying organic compounds—the carbon-containing building blocks of life as we know it. SAM apparently spotted something interesting in a soil sample Curiosity's huge robotic arm delivered to the instrument recently.




“This data is gonna be one for the history books,” Curiosity chief scientist John Grotzinger said. “It's looking really good.” Grotzinger said the rover team won't be ready to announce just what SAM found for several weeks. The scientists want to check and double-check the results, to make sure they're for real.


Do you think there was ever life on Mars? And, what do you think this discovery is?

Skydiver plans record-breaking 'space jump'

An Austrian daredevil plans to leap from nearly 23 miles above the Earth on Oct. 8 in a supersonic plunge that, if successful, will be the world's highest-ever skydive. If all goes according to plan, a helium-filled balloon will lift off from Roswell, N.M., and carry Felix Baumgartner's custom-built capsule to an altitude of 120,000 feet. The daredevil will then step out of the capsule into the void, breaking a skydiving record that has stood for 52 years. The current record for world's highest skydive stands at 102,800 feet. It was set in 1960 by U.S. Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger, who serves as an adviser for Baumgartner's mission.

If Baumgartner succeeds, he will break not only that mark but also the sound barrier, becoming the first skydiver ever to fall at supersonic speeds, During a July 25 practice jump, Baumgartner's top freefall speed was 537 mph — about as fast as a commercial airliner. Now that's taking adventure to the extreme!

Is Baumbartner the ultimate daredevil ... or just plain crazy?

“Mythbusters” may help solve “Titanic” controversy

The Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters” is teaming up with “Titanic” director James Cameron in a bid to prove the film's hero, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, did not die in vain in the frozen waters of the North Atlantic. In the blockbuster movie, DiCaprio's character Jack Dawson and Kate Winslet's Rose are left clinging to a plank of floating debris after the cruise ship sinks following a collision with an iceberg en route to America.



Experts insist the lovers would have been able to stay afloat on the plank of wood until help arrived, but the moviemaker is keen to prove them wrong -- and he has joined forces with a team of experts to make his case. The director says it’s clear that there’s only enough buoyancy available for one person so he makes a decision to let her be that person instead of taking them both down.

Do you think Jack could also have survived this epic disaster by climbing aboard plank?

Giving back around the world in 2012

In recognition of World Humanitarian Day on August 19, Discovery Student Adventures salutes teachers and students who explored the world with us this summer and rolled up their sleeves to make a difference. Our travelers painted school buildings in Costa Rica, worked with scientists to protect the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and assisted park rangers in the preservation of giant saguaro cactus near the Grand Canyon. Giving back is an important part of every journey with Discovery Student Adventures. Next year, we’re headed to 13 amazing global destinations and each journey includes a volunteer service project that offers the rewarding experience to give back. Discover for yourself how you can make a difference next summer on a journey with Discovery Student Adventures.

How did you give back this summer?