Mars mineral deposits linked to groundwater
Posted: Sat, Mar 10, 2007, 7:19 AM ET (1219 GMT)
Mineral salt deposits found on the surface of Mars by one of NASA's Mars rovers may have been created by seeping groundwater rather than an ocean, scientists reported this week. Early in its mission, the Mars rover Opportunity found deposits of sulfur-rich evaporite minerals in the Meridiani Planum of the planet, which to scientists suggested the presence of a liquid water ocean earlier in the planet's history. In a paper published in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature, scientists said the minerals could instead have formed when volcanic activity pushed up groundwater to the surface, where it evaporated and left behind the mineral deposits found by Opportunity. The new results don't preclude the existence of an ocean on the Martian surface in the past, only that the ocean did not extend to the Meridiani Planum region.
Mineral salt deposits found on the surface of Mars by one of NASA's Mars rovers may have been created by seeping groundwater rather than an ocean, scientists reported this week. Early in its mission, the Mars rover Opportunity found deposits of sulfur-rich evaporite minerals in the Meridiani Planum of the planet, which to scientists suggested the presence of a liquid water ocean earlier in the planet's history. In a paper published in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature, scientists said the minerals could instead have formed when volcanic activity pushed up groundwater to the surface, where it evaporated and left behind the mineral deposits found by Opportunity. The new results don't preclude the existence of an ocean on the Martian surface in the past, only that the ocean did not extend to the Meridiani Planum region.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, March 18
Russia could build extra Soyuz capsule for space tours
RIA Novosti — 8:12 pm ET (0012 GMT) Astronaut lands in Gillette
Wyoming Business Report — 8:10 pm ET (0010 GMT) Cassini Shows Saturnian Roller Derby, Strange Weather
NASA/JPL — 8:10 pm ET (0010 GMT) Russia to resume space tourism in 2012
Russia Today — 8:09 pm ET (0009 GMT) Houston Leaders Appeal President Obama to Save Space Program
KRIV-TV Houston — 8:04 pm ET (0004 GMT) |