Water Ice on Mars

ATO2 · #1 21-Jun-2008, 10:05

The Phoenix Lander has been productive:

Dice-size crumbs of bright material have vanished from inside a trench where they were photographed by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander four days ago, convincing scientists that the material was frozen water that vaporized after digging exposed it.

Mars Exploration: Home

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Grant · #2 21-Jun-2008, 12:20

I saw the track marks where they suspected ice, a couple of days ago. Its an interesting development. Will this be classed as definitive evidence?

ATO2 · #3 21-Jun-2008, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

I saw the track marks where they suspected ice, a couple of days ago. Its an interesting development. Will this be classed as definitive evidence?

It appears so. Carbon dioxide ice would not behave that way at the local temperatures.
Further, what it means is that there are plenty of samples available within the lander's arm. Then it it can carry out its mission to see what chemicals are in the water ice and if it was ever capable of supporting life.
That would be a big discovery!

ATO2 · #4 01-Aug-2008, 09:53

OK the truth is out there: proof for water.

Phoenix News

TokWW · #5 01-Aug-2008, 10:22

That's cool!

ATO2 · #6 01-Aug-2008, 10:35

Imagine if they find organic stuff in the samples!

Dollsworth · #7 01-Aug-2008, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATO2

Imagine if they find organic stuff in the samples!

we could move there!

and more importantly... i'll move my house there, hoping i may finally get a good storm

TokWW · #8 01-Aug-2008, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollsworth

we could move there!

and more importantly... i'll move my house there, hoping i may finally get a good [DUST] storm

LOL - but dust may be all you can see... but is the axis tilited on Mars? will they have a darker winter or brighter summer at the top of the planet? Hence colder and possible vapour clouds?

ATO2 · #9 01-Aug-2008, 12:37

Yes, plenty of duststorms!LOL
Mars' axial tilt is almost the same as the Earth's so has seasons like the Earth. However these seasons are lopsided in length for the two hemispheres. If you want more info I can add some.
BTW there is a great shot of the midnight Sun, taken by Phoenix.

ATO2 · #10 01-Aug-2008, 12:38

Yes, plenty of duststorms!LOL
Mars' axial tilt is almost the same as the Earth's so has seasons like the Earth. However these seasons are lopsided in length for the two hemispheres. If you want more info I can add some.
BTW there is a great shot of the midnight Sun, on Mars, taken by Phoenix.

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Dollsworth (01-Aug-2008), TokWW (01-Aug-2008)

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Dollsworth (21-Jun-2008)

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Grant (21-Jun-2008)