Evidence of Frozen Sea Near Martian Equator

Discussion in 'Astronomy, Exobiology, & Cosmology' started by SkinWalker, Feb 22, 2005.

  1. SkinWalker Archaeology / Anthropology Moderator

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    5,874
    The article appeared in New Scientist as 'Pack ice' suggests frozen sea on Mars, 21 Feb 2005.

    The article goes on to quote the authors of a paper that is currently embargoed by Nature until mid-March as saying that the frozen sea is 800 by 900 kilometres in size and averages 45 metres deep.

    If so, then (8.5*10^5 / 2)^2 * pi * 45 = 2.55E+13 cubic meters or 6.74E+15 gallons of water.

    That's more water than in all of the Great Lakes combined. Being near the equator, could it be possible that there is liquid water within or under the ice?

    The upcoming Nature article includes these photos, the Martian sea on the left, an Antarctic comparasion on the right:

    <img src="http://home.earthlink.net/~ctfeagans/MarsH2O.jpg"

    The article then concludes with:
    Murray, John B., et al (2005) Evidence From HRSC Mars Express for a Frozen Sea Close to Mars' Equator, Embargoed by Nature until Mid-March. However, currently available at: ftp://www.lpi.usra.edu/pub/outgoing/lpsc2005/full97.pdf
     
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  3. btimsah Registered Senior Member

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    Am I looking at craters, on top of ash, which is on top of a giant glacier??

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

    See, now why couldnt the landers land there!

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    That would have been awesome.
     
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  5. Lucas Registered Senior Member

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    Everybody knows that there's water in Mars, the important is to know how much water
    One of the proposals for terraforming Mars is to melt the poles to create an athmosphere. If there's underground frozen water, it would be interesting that this water can be consumable, without salt, excessive minerals or other crap. I want to go to Mars, and I don't want to die of thirst!
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2005
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