New observations downplay Mars water
Posted: Fri, Sep 21, 2007, 8:15 AM ET (1215 GMT)
Data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) suggest that gullies that recently formed in some Martian craters were not created by liquid water. The gullies had formed in crater walls some time between two sets of Mars Global Surveyor images taken several years part, and scientists speculated that groundwater leaking out the side of the crater could have caused the gullies. However, more detailed observations by MRO argue that the gullies were formed by landslides of loose, dry material. Other MRO observations of much older features may be evidence that any liquid water that existed on the planet's surface early in its history was short-lived.
Data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) suggest that gullies that recently formed in some Martian craters were not created by liquid water. The gullies had formed in crater walls some time between two sets of Mars Global Surveyor images taken several years part, and scientists speculated that groundwater leaking out the side of the crater could have caused the gullies. However, more detailed observations by MRO argue that the gullies were formed by landslides of loose, dry material. Other MRO observations of much older features may be evidence that any liquid water that existed on the planet's surface early in its history was short-lived.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, August 25
MTG-I2 in the starting blocks!
Thales Alenia Space — 6:43 am ET (1043 GMT) No signal left behind: new ways to detect jamming and spoofing
ESA — 6:42 am ET (1042 GMT) Israel seeks leading position in space defense
Globes Online — 6:41 am ET (1041 GMT) Space Force Honor Guard showcases new ceremonial uniform in DC Grand Prix
Military Times — 6:40 am ET (1040 GMT) NZ star track: A watch on space from Beijing to Tehran, Paris to Somalia
Radio New Zealand — 6:40 am ET (1040 GMT) |
