Mars rover Curiosity sent into hibernation for the passage of a solar flare


Experts NASA Mars rover Curiosity was transferred into sleep mode to save a unique research laboratory on board the consequences of powerful storms on the sun. "We have to proceed with caution," — said Wednesday the project manager Richard Cook (Richard Cook) of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

According to the space agency of the United States, on Tuesday at the Sun occurred powerful flash, accompanied by coronal mass ejection. This red-hot plasma, which is a stream of protons, electrons and heavy elements, rushed toward Mars at a speed of 3.2 million miles per hour.

Depending on the strength of X-ray radiation such manifestations of solar activity can cause magnetic storms disrupt power lines, electrical appliances, Earth satellites, but the immediate danger to humans is not present.

In JPL decided to err and precautions for using commands from Earth, cut off power supply devices "Kyuriositi." All other Martian NASA continue to operate normally and have not experienced the damaging effects of solar storms.

ITAR-TASS reminds that the rover arrived at the Red Planet Aug. 6, 2012 to explore the Gale Crater. It is planned that he will stay on Mars is 687 Earth days. The project cost NASA $ 2.5 billion.



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