新奇事件簿 科学家研究适合火星生长的蔬菜

Scientists are trying to get humans to Mars. Researchers from the U.S. space agency NASA are currently trying to find out what kind of plants could grow in the red soil on Mars. They hope that astronauts will be able to start growing their own food on the Red Planet. The journey to Mars could take up to two-and-a-half years. The astronauts will need to take a lot of food with them just to last for the journey. They will never be able to return to Earth, which means they will need to grow their own fruit, vegetables and other plants from seeds. NASA said there could be a problem because Mars doesn't have soil that is good for growing things. It just has red dust.

科学家正努力将人类送上火星。来自美国太空署NASA的研究人员正在寻找哪种植物可以在火星红色的土壤上生长。他们希望宇航员能够在这个红色星球上种植自己的食物。火星之旅将耗费两年半的时间。宇航员必须自己携带足够整个旅程的大量食物。他们或许永远都不能回到地球，这意味着他们需要自己种植水果，蔬菜和其他植物。NASA表示，可能有一个问题存在，因为火星上没有适合种植作物的土壤。火星上只有红色的粉尘。

Humans may be on their way to Mars in the next 15 years. NASA has been testing special "Martian gardens" to see what kind of things might grow on Mars. They have used a special soil made up of crushed volcanic¹ rock. It contains no nutrients² or organic material, so it is similar to the soil on Mars. The scientists managed to grow lettuce³ in it. They said the lettuce tasted normal, but it had weaker roots and took longer to grow. They will now try growing other vegetables. A NASA spokesman said: "Discoveries made in these Earth-based 'Martian gardens' will pave the way for future studies and technology development in terms of reliable, efficient food production a long way from Earth."

未来15年人类或许能够踏上前往火星的征程。NASA正在测试特别的“火星花园”，看一下哪些植物可以在火星上生长。他们使用的是用压碎的火山岩做成的特别的土壤。其中没有任何营养或有机质，所以类似火星上的土壤。科学家已经成功地在上面种植了生菜。他们说种植出的生菜味道正常，但是根系比较弱，需要更长的时间来生长。他们现在准备种植其他蔬菜。NASA一名发言人表示：“在地球上的这些火星菜园中的发现将为未来在远离地球的地方进行可依赖的，有效的食物生产方面的研究和科技进步铺平道路。”

1 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

2 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 lettuce   

n.莴苣；生菜

参考例句：

• Get some lettuce and tomatoes so I can make a salad.买些莴苣和西红柿，我好做色拉。
• The lettuce is crisp and cold.莴苣松脆爽口。