NASA about to announce flowing water on Mars?
Discussion
You are WAY too cynical. Science is cautious by nature. Making grand and important announcements before decent data is in can backfire dramatically - and can cause a massive amount of damage. NASA learned a big lesson when they announced the findings of what could have been Martian fossils back in 1993. They have to progress slowly in these areas slowly.
And, as yet, no one has imaged actual flowing water on Mars. What HAS been imaged are traces of what might have been the result of recent water flows. They also caught images of globules of liquid water collecting on part of the structure of the Mars Phoenix lander.
And, as yet, no one has imaged actual flowing water on Mars. What HAS been imaged are traces of what might have been the result of recent water flows. They also caught images of globules of liquid water collecting on part of the structure of the Mars Phoenix lander.
Derek Smith said:
I'm a bit surprised there hasn't been more comment here on the revelation of evidence of flowing water, all be it a bit salty, on Mars. Isn't everyone excited by the increased evidence of the possibility of life on the planet?
most certainly. However, for me the most interesting thing is that billions of years ago it looked like Mars has plenty of water, seas, lakes and a warmer climate. Sure this disappeared but if it existed for a few hundred million year that would have given plenty of time for life to form and maybe even quite advanced from mere bacteria etc. After all, life on earth evolved in that time. Having largely lost it's atmosphere more than a billion years ago, any trace of any life no mater how advanced would have been totally erased from the surface due to weathering during that period. In fact just a few hundred thousands of years would have done this. I believe there are some truly amazing things to be discovered there.
Yes - they have detected salt and other minerals indicative of recent water flows.
Another reason they are sure these markings are recent is because the markings come and go and change over relatively short periods of time i.e,. months and years - not millenia.
We now have a small fleet of orbiters monitoring surface changes on the planet and the same areas have been photographed many times. This allows us to see changes that have occurred since the last pass.
It is now pretty clear that Mars is still an active planet with ongoing geological processes still operating.
Another reason they are sure these markings are recent is because the markings come and go and change over relatively short periods of time i.e,. months and years - not millenia.
We now have a small fleet of orbiters monitoring surface changes on the planet and the same areas have been photographed many times. This allows us to see changes that have occurred since the last pass.
It is now pretty clear that Mars is still an active planet with ongoing geological processes still operating.
Eric Mc said:
Yes - they have detected salt and other minerals indicative of recent water flows.
Another reason they are sure these markings are recent is because the markings come and go and change over relatively short periods of time i.e,. months and years - not millenia.
We now have a small fleet of orbiters monitoring surface changes on the planet and the same areas have been photographed many times. This allows us to see changes that have occurred since the last pass.
It is now pretty clear that Mars is still an active planet with ongoing geological processes still operating.
Another reason they are sure these markings are recent is because the markings come and go and change over relatively short periods of time i.e,. months and years - not millenia.
We now have a small fleet of orbiters monitoring surface changes on the planet and the same areas have been photographed many times. This allows us to see changes that have occurred since the last pass.
It is now pretty clear that Mars is still an active planet with ongoing geological processes still operating.
Its all incredibly exciting. Cant wait to see what the next 10+ years brings.
Not just this announcement though. There is plenty of tantalising evidence. Gypsum discovered a few years ago for a start.
And look at this site
https://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu
Have to delve in a bit but there ain't half some stunning images and many with what you would expect with a fluid flow, water......?
And look at this site
https://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu
Have to delve in a bit but there ain't half some stunning images and many with what you would expect with a fluid flow, water......?
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