NASA honors Algerian park with Mars namesake

NASA’s map of Mars now bears the names of three of Algeria’s iconic national parks, Algerian physicist Noureddine Merikechi, a member of the US space agency’s largest Mars exploration mission, told AFP. spoke.

Tassili-Najjer National Park, Gouffi National Park and Giurjula National Park all found Mars’ namesake after Merikeki’s suggestion, which he called for both as a tribute to his homeland of Algeria and as a call to protect the planet.

“It’s a signal to the world that our planet is fragile and we need to really take care of our national parks, whether it’s in Algeria or elsewhere,” the US-based scientist said in a recent interview. he told AFP.

He said the visual similarities between some of the Martian landscapes and subsequently labeled landscapes were also a key reason for the naming.

“The first place that came to mind was Tassili Najjer,” he says of the vast plateau of the Sahara Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with prehistoric art dating back at least 12,000 years. Ta.

“Every time I see a photo of Mars, I think of Tassili Najjer. And now, every time I see Tassili Najjer, I think of Mars,” said Merikeki, who left Algeria for the United States in 1990. added. He currently teaches at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

He said ancient art discovered at Tassili Najjer depicts figures that appear otherworldly.

The painting depicts a single-eyed, horned giant, which French archaeologist Henri Lhote described in his 1958 book Exploring the Tassili Frescoes as “the great Martian.” Some call it “God.”

“These paintings are signs of how people once lived,” Merikeki said.

“Not only do you see animals, but you also see people who look like they’re from somewhere else.”

“Historical”

Merikeki’s second choice was the Gouffi Valley in eastern Algeria, whose rocky desert landscape was the site of an ancient settlement off the coast of the Aures Mountains.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tourist attraction, the site features cliffside dwellings carved into the mountains and is a testament to human resilience in places where survival can be at stake. is.

“Goofy makes you feel that life can be difficult at times, but you can still make it through,” Merikeki said.

“You can tell by looking at those houses.”

The third location, Giurjula, is a snow-capped mountain range about 140 kilometers (about 90 miles) east of the capital, Algiers.

Compared to Tassili and Goofy, it is the least similar to Mars.

Merikeki said the choice stemmed from Giurjula’s “memories of its rich natural habitat”.

He said the naming process took place after NASA’s Perseverance rover, which explores Mars, reached uncharted territory.

The area was then divided into smaller quadrants, each of which required a name.

“We were asked to suggest names for specific quadrants,” he said.

“While I suggested these three national parks, others suggested names from parks around the world. The team then reviewed and selected the final name.”

The announcement, made by NASA earlier this month, sparked a mood of celebration among Algerians.

Algeria’s Culture Minister Zuhir Baralou hailed it as a “historic and global recognition” of the North African country’s landscape.

Merikeki said Algeria is working to promote tourism, especially in the Sahara region, and hopes to attract more tourists as authorities have promised to expedite the issuance of tourist visas.

According to official figures, around 2.5 million tourists visited the country last year, the highest number of visitors in 20 years.

“These places are the treasures that we as humans have inherited,” Merikeki said.

“We need to make sure they are preserved.”

© 2024 AFP