Posted: Tue, Sep 6, 2005, 6:27 AM ET (1027 GMT)
Giant sand dunes on the surface of Mars may contain water ice, a scientist suggested Monday. Speaking at a science conference in Dublin, Ireland, planetary scientist Mary Bourke said there was evidence that at least some sand dunes contain up to 50 percent water ice. The ice may explain why some large dunes manage to stay together. The discovery, Bourke said, doesn't necessarily mean that Mars has more water than previously thought, only that the water may be stored in various locations. Ice-containing dunes may be of particular value for any future human missions to Mars.

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