Scientists make case for less water on Mars
Posted: Fri, Dec 23, 2005, 10:14 AM ET (1514 GMT)
The planet Mars may have had less liquid water on its surface early in its history than previously expected, reducing the odds that the planet once harbored life. Researchers at the University of Colorado, in a paper published in the latest issue of Nature, said that chemical signatures found in Martian rocks by NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers could have been created instead by sulfur-bearing steam vapors moving through volcanic ash. That scenario, they said, is more consistent with the composition of the rocks than if they precipitated on a lake bed, as has been previously proposed. A separate group from Arizona State University, also writing in Nature, argued that the rock formations and sediment layers found at the rover Opportunity's landing site, which had been linked to a lake bed, may instead have been formed by the blast of an exploding meteorite. Neither paper concludes that Mars never had water, only that it did not form a lake, at least at the rover's landing site.
The planet Mars may have had less liquid water on its surface early in its history than previously expected, reducing the odds that the planet once harbored life. Researchers at the University of Colorado, in a paper published in the latest issue of Nature, said that chemical signatures found in Martian rocks by NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers could have been created instead by sulfur-bearing steam vapors moving through volcanic ash. That scenario, they said, is more consistent with the composition of the rocks than if they precipitated on a lake bed, as has been previously proposed. A separate group from Arizona State University, also writing in Nature, argued that the rock formations and sediment layers found at the rover Opportunity's landing site, which had been linked to a lake bed, may instead have been formed by the blast of an exploding meteorite. Neither paper concludes that Mars never had water, only that it did not form a lake, at least at the rover's landing site.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Virgin Galactic slightly delays resumption of commercial flights
Posted: Sat, Aug 9 11:05 AM ET (1505 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, August 14
New regulations could see Musk's Starlink finally come to UAE
The National (UAE) — 7:41 am ET (1141 GMT) SSC Demo Exercise Tests Next-Gen GPS Receiver to Gather Feedback from Joint Warfighters and International Partners
US Space Force — 7:39 am ET (1139 GMT) Why Space Force Part-Timers Are Nothing Like Guard and Reserve
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 7:38 am ET (1138 GMT) 'State of the Bases' is strong despite challenges, Space Force commanders say
Colorado Springs Gazette — 7:38 am ET (1138 GMT) SpaceX Slams Virginia for Overlooking Starlink in State's Broadband Funding
PC Magazine — 7:33 am ET (1133 GMT) |
