Lesson 1: Analyzing New Satellite Data

Key Idea

Modern science relies heavily on technology. Satellites orbiting Mars send back massive amounts of data in the form of high-resolution images. Data analysis is the process of examining this information to find meaningful clues.

Scientists scan these images for patterns, such as repeating shapes, specific textures, or the alignment of features. These patterns are not random; they are the fingerprints of geologic processes. Recognizing a pattern is the first step in turning raw data into usable scientific evidence.

Key Idea

Not all evidence is created equal. Before using data to support a claim, scientists must evaluate its quality. High-quality evidence is clear, precise, and comes from a reliable source.

They must also judge the relevance of the data. A clear image of a crater is interesting, but it is irrelevant if the question is about a river channel. Scientists must be disciplined, filtering out noise to focus only on data that directly addresses the investigation at hand.