Far from home, a traveler posted this update on the internet. It was July 1, 2021.
I've made it to my next lookout, overlooking a spot we're calling "Séítah." It's an area with some good science targets. I'll spy a few from here. Then I'll circle around and keep exploring.
Where on Earth is Séítah? You might think it's someplace in the American Southwest. The red soil and rocky ground look like the desert region. Maybe you even know that the word Séítah is from the language of the Navajo Nation. They are a Native American tribe in the Southwestern U.S. But these conclusions would be off base. Like, 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) off base!
Séítah is actually on the planet Mars. And the "traveler" who posted the social media update is a NASA rover called Perseverance. The robot is wheeling its way around the red planet, exploring rocks and loose dirt on the ground.
Perseverance's first stop was a rock called Máaz. That's Navajo for Mars. Why did NASA decide to use Navajo words to name whatever the rover discovered? Because the site where Perseverance first landed on Mars in February 2021 looks similar to an area on Navajo lands.
Aaron Yazzie is a NASA engineer. He works on the Perseverance project. He's also a member of the Navajo Nation, or Diné. Yazzie says that using the Navajo language in such a meaningful way will "inspire Navajo youth." He also believes that the name of the rover itself is meaningful for the Navajo people. Why is that?
Because the Navajo have a long history of perseverance. Like the Mars rover, they once had to find their way in an unfamiliar land after a difficult journey. Ancestors of the Navajo once lived in what is now Canada. They followed animal herds from place to place. They hunted and gathered food. Between the years 1100 and 1500, they made the long migration south to the Navajo Nation's current lands. There, they showed bidziil (strength) in adapting to a very different environment. They formed settlements and grew crops. They learned from the practices of neighboring Pueblo groups. Over time, the Navajo became known for their rich culture and traditions. And for their beautiful arts, like pottery and weaving.
Today, the Navajo Nation is still going strong. It has about 400,000 members and is the largest Native American community in the United States. Navajo is also the most spoken Native American language in the U.S.
The Navajo have journeyed far. They came from Canada to the American Southwest. Now, with a little help from Ha'ahóni (Perseverance), their language has voyaged even further. It's gone all the way to Mars.
Think about and discuss these questions:
What are some of the reasons humans undertake challenging voyages? Consider the motivations of the Navajo people, the NASA scientists, and other real-world examples to support your ideas.
Do you agree or disagree that "Perseverance" is a good name for the Mars rover? Explain.
The article says all of the following except __________.
A.Navajo settlers learned to grow food from Pueblo groups
B.the Navajo Nation is the largest community in Canada
C.Perseverance sends updates from Mars on social media
D.the Perseverance rover studies dirt and rocks on Mars