Language Point 1
Following the lunar missions of the early 1970s, Mars now looms as humanity's next great, unknown land. (Para. 1)
Meaning: After the moon exploration of the early 1970s, Mars now seems to become humanity's next great, unknown land.
lunar: a. of, for, or to the moon
Next month there will be a lunar eclipse. 下个月有月蚀。
loom: vi. appear in an indistinct and often threatening way; appear important or threatening
The dark outline of another ship loomed (up) through the fog. 另一只船的黑影在雾中隐现。
The mountain peak loomed through the fog. 那座山峰在雾中隐隐出现。
Language Point 2
But with dubious prospects for short-term financial return and with international competition in space a receding memory, ...(Para. 1)
Meaning: But because of uncertainties about sufficient profit in a short period of time and because international competition in space is becoming a thing of the past, ...
dubious: a.
1) causing doubt; of uncertain value or meaning
The policeman went to a person whose behaviour was dubious. 警察走向一个行为可疑的人。
The dubious data was turned down. 这个数据很可疑，被拒绝了。
2) (of a person) feeling doubt
We remain dubious about his motives. 我们对他的动机仍心存疑念。
He is still dubious about our plan. 他对我们的计划还是表示怀疑。
recede: vi. become fainter or more distant; move back or away
Within six months, the war had receded from most people's minds. 6个月的时间使得战争在大多数人们的头脑中变得模糊。
The pain has now receded, and the bruises will go when he takes a week's rest. 他的疼痛现在消退了，休息一周后那些擦伤就会好的。
Language Point 3
Could it be that science, which has long been a subsidiary concern for explorers, is at last destined to take a leading role? (Para. 1)
Meaning: Science has long been viewed as being of secondary importance for explorers, is it possible that science will finally become their chief concern?
subsidiary: a. connected with, but less important than sth. else
The main river has many subsidiary streams. 这条大河有很多支流。
Can I ask a subsidiary question? 我能问一个附带的问题吗?
Language Point 4
The issue of whether life ever existed on the planet, and whether it persists to this day, has been highlighted by accumulating evidence that Mars once had abundant liquid water and by the controversy over suggestions that fossils of bacteria rode to Earth on a rock ejected from Mars during its early history. (Para. 2)
Meaning: Accumulating evidence about Mars' abundant liquid water in the past and the argument over suggestions about bacterial fossils' flight to Earth by means of a rock shot out from Mars during its early history have drawn our attention to the issue of whether life ever existed on the planet, and whether it still exists.
eject: vt.
1) send (sth.) out suddenly
Volcanoes eject lava at times of eruption. 火山爆发时，会喷射出熔岩。
2) force (sb./ sth.) out
The police came and ejected the young man from the cinema. 警察来了，把那个年轻人从电影院里撵了出去。
He was ejected from the meeting. 他被赶出了会场。
Language Point 5
A definite answer about life on Mars, past or present, would give researchers invaluable data about the range of conditions under which a planet can generate the complex chemistry that leads to life. (Para. 2)
Meaning: A definite answer about the existence of life on Mars, either in the past or at present, would provide useful and valuable data about the range of conditions under which the complex chemistry needed to make life possible can be produced on a planet.
invaluable: extremely useful or valuable
His advice has been invaluable to the success of the project. 他的意见对这项工程的成功起着不可估量的作用。
The technique would be invaluable if it were properly included in all drama training programs. 该表演法如能适当地应用到所有戏剧艺术培训课程里，其价值是无法衡量的。
Language Point 6
The revelation that life arose independently on Mars and on Earth would provide the first concrete clue in one of the deepest mysteries in all of science: how prevalent is life in our galaxy? (Para. 2)
Meaning: If it were discovered that life originated on both Mars and Earth, this would give the first definite clue in one of the deepest mysteries in all of science: how common is life in our galaxy?
revelation: n. the act of suddenly making known a surprising fact that was secret or hidden
He was accused of revelation of state secret. 他因泄露国家机密而被起诉。
He was visibly pulling back from too much revelation. 他欲言又止，显然不肯透露太多情况。
galaxy: n. any of the large groups of stars that make up the universe
Edwin Hubble discovered that distant galaxies are moving from us. 埃德温·哈勃发现遥远的星系正在离我们越来越远。
Language Point 7
One of the reasons why the idea of sending people to Mars strikes a chord in so many people... (Para. 3)
strike a chord: do or say sth. that people feel is familiar or true; produce a mental, or emotional response in sb.
The music play struck a chord with most audience. 这部音乐剧引起了很多观众的共鸣。
He had obviously struck a chord with his audience. 他显然打动了听众。
Language Point 8
The thesis that liquid water was once stable on Mars has been strengthened by aerial photographs taken last year that showed what appeared to be a drainage channel cut deeply by water flowing for hundreds if not thousands of years. (Para. 3)
Meaning: The idea that water used to be stable on Mars has been reinforced by the photographs taken last year by means of aircraft, and these photographs showed something which seemed to be a drainage channel cut deeply by water flowing for hundreds of years at least.
thesis: n. a statement or opinion about sth. that you discuss in a formal way and give examples for; an essay presented for a degree
Our main thesis is that inflation is caused by increases in the money supply. 我们的主要论点是，通货膨胀是由货币供应的增加造成的。
She is writing a thesis on Shakespeare's tragedies. 她正在写一篇有关莎士比亚悲剧的学位论文。
aerial: a. of, from, or happening in the air
aerial photography 空中摄影
This is an aerial view of the New York city. 这是纽约市的鸟瞰图。
drainage: n. the process or system by which water or waste liquid flows away
The drainage of the city is not good. 这个城市的排水系统不好。
The drainage of the water from the mine would take at least two days. 排出矿井中的水至少要用两天时间。
Language Point 9
A thorough hunt for any life on Mars that might be hanging on would also have to be undertaken by humans, ... (Para. 4)
Meaning: A thorough search for any life on Mars that might survive would also have to be done by humans, ...
Language Point 10
"Finding it will require surveying vast tracts of territory," one expert explains. (Para. 4)
Meaning: "Finding it will require searching large stretches of territory, " one expert explains.
tract: n. (of) a large stretch of land
Vast tracts of land were planted with trees. 大片的土地上种植了树木。
Language Point 11
Robots might be up to the task sometime in the distant future, making human explorers redundant, he concedes. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Robots might be capable of doing the task in the distant future, making human explorers unnecessary, he admits.
redundant: a. not necessary because sth. else means or does the same thing; not needed
The company was unable to sell the redundant equipment. 这家公司没能卖出多余的设备。
Some jobs will be made redundant by computer. 计算机将使一些工作变得多余。
Language Point 12
Mars' atmosphere contains trace quantities of a chemical agent... (Para. 5)
Meaning: Mars' atmosphere contains very small amounts of a chemical agent...
Language Point 13
So most strategies for bacteria hunting involve digging down to depths where life or organic matter would be shielded from this chemical agent as well as from extremely high levels of ultraviolet light. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Life or organic matter might live deep under the ground so as to keep away from the chemical agent and extremely high levels of ultraviolet light.
Therefore most strategies for bacteria hunting require digging deep underground.
Language Point 14
Future probes will be rigged with rotary drills made of a special ... (Para. 6)
Meaning: Future probes will be equipped with revolving drills made of a special ...
rig: vt. provide sth. with a piece of equipment
The new car is rigged with a new safety system. 这种汽车装备有一种新型安全系统。
rotary: a. turning around a fixed point
Rotary press is still widely used today. 轮转印刷机现在仍使用广泛。
Language Point 15
But barring any discoveries sieved from those shallow depths, researchers will have to bring up samples from hundreds of meters below the surface before they can declare Mars dead or alive. (Para. 6)
Meaning: But unless there are any discoveries separated out from those shallow depths, researchers will have to take samples up to the surface from hundreds of meters below the surface before they can declare whether there is life on Mars or not.
barring: prep. unless the thing mentioned happens or exists
Barring any further delays, we should be able to start tomorrow. 除非再有任何耽搁，否则我们明天就能开始。
We shall return at midnight, barring accidents. 除非有意外事故，否则我们将于午夜回来。
sieve: vt. put through or separate with a sieve
We need to sieve out the stones from the soil. 我们要把土壤中的石头筛出来。
Sieve the sauce before using it. 在使用前，把酱汁滤一下。
bring up: bring (sth. or sb.) upstairs, to higher level, or to the surface
The road will bring you up to the top of the mountain. 这条道路将使你们到达山顶。
Language Point 16
Researchers are unanimous in saying that a human mission to Mars would advance our understanding of the planet. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Researchers share the same view that a human mission to Mars would promote our understanding of it.
unanimous: a.
1) (of people) all sharing the same opinions or views; all agreeing completely
The country is unanimous in its support of the government policy. 全国一致支持政府的政策。
They were unanimous that the application should be turned down. 他们一致同意拒绝这项申请。
2) (of a decision, statement, etc.) agreed or supported by everyone
The whole school gave unanimous approval to the plan. 全校一致通过了这一计划。
He was elected by a unanimous vote. 他以全票当选。
Language Point 17
The points of contention have to do with the cost of human missions in comparison with robotic ones. (Para. 7)
Meaning: The points about which there is disagreement are concerned with the cost of human missions in comparison with robotic ones.
Language Point 18
Today the kind of robot that can be delivered to another planet is not really up to the demands of a game of cards, ... (Para. 8)
Meaning: Now the kind of robot that can be sent to another planet cannot even satisfactorily play a game of cards, ...
Language Point 19
And the best computer brains for robots can't even match the intellectual ability of an insect, making the automation of the explorer's task difficult indeed. (Para. 8)
Meaning: The intellectual ability of an insect is higher than the best computer brains used for robots so it is really difficult to convert the task of exploration to an automatic operation.
automation: n. the use of machines that need little or no human control, usu. in place of workers
I am not against automation. It's some of their possible consequences that make me afraid. 我并不是反对自动化装置。问题是它们所带来的一些后果使我感到害怕。
Language Point 20
One intriguing option is ... (Para. 9)
intrigue: vt. make sb. very interested in knowing more about sth., esp. sth. that seems mysterious
Hibernation has long intrigued biologists. 冬眠长期以来一直使生物学家感兴趣。
He has always been intrigued by pop music. 他一向对流行音乐着迷。
intriguing: a. very interesting, esp. because of being strange or mysterious
The subject is intriguing and is worth of further study. 这是个很有趣的题材，值得进一步研究。
The story is intriguing. 这个故事引人入胜。
Language Point 21
Unfortunately, the round-trip time to relay communications from Mars is up to 40 minutes long. (Para. 9)
Meaning: Unluckily, the time to transmit messages from Mars to Earth and back again is as long as 40 minutes.
relay: vt.
1) pass news, a message, etc. from one person or place to another
Could you relay the news to the teacher? 你能将这一信息传达给老师吗?
He lost no time relaying the news of the accident to his boss. 他马上把出事的消息告诉了老板。
2) send out television or radio signals to be broadcast
The pop concert was relayed live. 现场直播流行音乐会。
The table tennis match was relayed live. 这场乒乓球比赛现场直播。
Language Point 22
Although a human mission would be more expensive, it would also be more cost-effective, some advocates of human missions insist. (Para. 10)
Meaning: According to some advocates who are in favor of human missions, a human mission would be more expensive but it would be worth doing.
Language Point 23
But by his calculations the human mission would return with a shipment of 100 times more material gathered from an area 10,000 times larger. (Para. 10)
Meaning: However, he has worked out that the human mission would bring back 100 times more material in comparison with robots and the searched area by human mission would be 10,000 times larger than by robots.
shipment: n. a load of goods sent by sea, road, or air
The total shipment will be divided into three parts, each going by a separate vessel. 全部货物将分成三批，分别由三条船运送。
A large shipment of grain arrived yesterday. 一大批谷物昨天运到。
Language Point 24
With its enormous territory, amazing landscape, and difficult climate, Mars will surely be conquered only by a combination of people and machines. (Para. 10)
Meaning: Because of the many unfavorable conditions on Mars — enormous territory, amazing landscape, and difficult climate — people combining with machines will be the only way to conquer it.
