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1. Icy Material Thrown from Cratering Impact on Mars
This image taken on May 19, 2010, shows an impact crater that had not existed when the same location on Mars was previously observed in March 2008. The new impact excavated and scattered water ice that had been hidden beneath the surface. The location is at 63.9 degrees north latitude, 44.9 degrees east longitude. The 50-meter scale bar at lower right is about 55 yards long.
2. Fresh Crater Exposing Buried Ice on Mid-Latitude Mars
A meteorite impact that excavated this crater on Mars exposed bright ice that had been hidden just beneath the surface at this location: latitude 43.9 degrees north, longitude 204.3 degrees east. The 100-meter scale bar at lower right is 109 yards.
3. Locations of Ice-Exposing Fresh Craters on Mars
This map of Mars indicates locations of new craters that have excavated ice (blue) and those that have not (red). The underlying map is based on the brightness, or albedo, of the Martian surface. Most fresh craters are discovered in the brighter, dusty regions of Mars where dark blast patterns from the impacts can be seen.
CRISM is being used to identify locations on Mars that may have hosted water, a chemical considered important in the search for past or present extraterrestrial life.
In order to do this, CRISM is mapping the presence of minerals and chemicals that may indicate past interaction with water (...) In addition, CRISM is monitoring ice and dust particulates in the Martian atmosphere to learn more about its climate and seasons.
Microbes Thrive in Deepest Spot on Earth
(...) that research looked at rocks up to about 1,150 to 1,900 feet (350 to 580 m) below the seafloor under about 8,500 feet (2,600 m) of water off the coast of the northwestern United States. These microbes apparently live off energy from chemical reactions between water and rock instead of nutrients snowing from above.
/emphasis added/
Grimpachi
I may be wrong, but I thought the ice was frozen carbon dioxide -- dry ice. How do we know this is water?
Or how can they tell?edit on 10-1-2014 by Grimpachi because: (no reason given)
wlasikiewicz
reply to post by jeep3r
There is ice at the pols on mars, this is nothing new. I think if they find liquid water like we have on earth then that will be exciting.
Dark seasonal streaks on slopes near the Martian equator may be a sign of flowing salt water on Mars, liquid runoff that melts and evaporates during the planet's warmer months, scientists say.
crazyewok
Grimpachi
I may be wrong, but I thought the ice was frozen carbon dioxide -- dry ice. How do we know this is water?
Or how can they tell?edit on 10-1-2014 by Grimpachi because: (no reason given)
Im guessing through spectrometry. Astrochemsitry is far far far from my area of expertise. But Spectrometry would be how I would do it as it would flag up pretty cleary what chemicals are were. But just working out its weight would likley do it too.
CraftBuilder
The prospect of widespread water on Mars adds another layer of excitement to the Mars one initiative.
jeep3r
reply to post by wlasikiewicz
Yes, that's well known, indeed. But these are not just directly at the poles and they show subsurface preservation of water ice. If temperatures further below are higher, liquid water is an option and would indeed raise the chances for subsurface present day life.
Also, extremophile organisms might feel more comfortable in an environment with (at least) water ice and some protection against radiation deep in the ground ...edit on 10-1-2014 by jeep3r because: text
Common Misconceptions
• Liquid water can exist on Mars.
solarsystem.nasa.gov...
OccamsRazor04
jeep3r
reply to post by wlasikiewicz
Yes, that's well known, indeed. But these are not just directly at the poles and they show subsurface preservation of water ice. If temperatures further below are higher, liquid water is an option and would indeed raise the chances for subsurface present day life.
Also, extremophile organisms might feel more comfortable in an environment with (at least) water ice and some protection against radiation deep in the ground ...edit on 10-1-2014 by jeep3r because: text
No, liquid water on Mars is impossible.
Common Misconceptions
• Liquid water can exist on Mars.
solarsystem.nasa.gov...
Dark seasonal streaks on slopes near the Martian equator may be a sign of flowing salt water on Mars, liquid runoff that melts and evaporates during the planet's warmer months, scientists say.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spotted the dark streaks on Mars as they formed and grew in the planet's late spring and summer seasons, when the Martian equatorial region receives the most sunlight. The streaks then faded the next season as cooler temperatures prevailed.
No, liquid water on Mars is impossible.
Arken
reply to post by OccamsRazor04
No, liquid water on Mars is impossible.
Wrong.
Update your "Book's skeptic"...
It is possible. Salt water flow in specific regions of Mars.
Dark seasonal streaks on slopes near the Martian equator may be a sign of flowing salt water on Mars, liquid runoff that melts and evaporates during the planet's warmer months, scientists say.