Brown U. geologist contributes to Mars Rover

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- The Curiosity Rover is conducting science experiments on the surface of Mars, and some of the decisions on those experiments are being made right here in Providence.

The Curiosity Rover landed on Mars last summer and has been making discoveries ever since, including evidence that rivers once flowed on the martian surface.

Millions of miles away from Mars at Brown University, Ralph Milliken works on The Curiosity mission team and helps determine which rocks to analyze and which instrument to use for that analysis.

"We combine our science desires with our engineering constraints to actually see what we can and cannot do on any given day on Mars," said Milliken.

With more than a dozen instruments on board Curiosity, scientists hope to learn how mars transitioned from a wet planet to a dry, desert-like planet.

Like other NASA scientists, Milliken is actively involved in educating the public, including local school and astronomy groups and fields questions on social media.