Oh Wow... Oh wow... See now we just gotta go, God wants us to go, I mean FUCK THERE'S EVEN WATER OVER THERE!Scientists in the US say that initial data from a new way of scanning Mars has shown up to half of the Red Planet's surface may contain ice.
The new method of scanning for water offers vastly more accurate readings than before, they say.
The data could prove vital for the Phoenix Mars Mission which launches this August and which will put a lander on the surface to dig for ice.
The new data shows wide variation as to how deep below the surface ice exists.
Seasonal changes
The deposits - far beyond the ice that is known to exist in the planet's North Pole - could be so large that were they to melt, they would deluge the planet in water forming an ocean.
Up until now, scientists had been able to search for water deposits using a spectrometer fixed to the orbiting Mars Odyssey spacecraft.
It is a device that measures nuclear radiation coming from a planet to detect different materials.
However, only readings that are accurate to within several hundred kilometres can be obtained.
Now Dr Joshua Bandfield of Arizona State University has devised a new method for detecting ice.
By comparing seasonal changes in thermal infrared patterns, detected by the same Odyssey spacecraft, he says he can make readings accurate to within just hundreds of metres.
Dr Bandfield said water ice in terms of surface area would be "probably roughly a third to a half".
Though there is plenty of water ice, the new thermal imaging data also shows that there is considerable variation across the planet in terms of how far down ice can be found.
'Up to half' of Mars may have ice
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frigidmagi
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#1 'Up to half' of Mars may have ice
BBC
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
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Dark Silver
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#2
...Ice on Mars.....enough to form a ocean....
now if we can only get a breathable atmosphere....
now if we can only get a breathable atmosphere....
Allen Thibodaux | Archmagus | Supervillain | Transfan | Trekker | Warsie |
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
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frigidmagi
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#3
Two words, greenhouse effect.
Basically DS there is an astmosphere already around Mars, it's just not thick enough.
Basically DS there is an astmosphere already around Mars, it's just not thick enough.
"it takes two sides to end a war but only one to start one. And those who do not have swords may still die upon them." Tolken
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Dark Silver
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#4
like I said frigid...
BREATHABLE atmosphere....I know there's one there, it's just inhospitable for us. We can't breath it, it's to thin....
BREATHABLE atmosphere....I know there's one there, it's just inhospitable for us. We can't breath it, it's to thin....
Allen Thibodaux | Archmagus | Supervillain | Transfan | Trekker | Warsie |
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
"Then again, Detective....how often have you dreamed of hearing your father's voice once more? Of feeling your mother's touch?" - Ra's Al Ghul
"According to the Bible, IHVH created the Universe in six days....he obviously didn't know what he was doing." - Darek Steele bani Order of Hermes.
DS's Golden Rule: I am not a bigot, I hate everyone equally. | corollary: Some are more equal than others.
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Destructionator XV
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#5
Mars still has only about 1/3 Earth gravity, which plays a role in its atmosphere being so thin.
It would be cool to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
It would be cool to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Adam D. Ruppe
Oh my hero, so far away now.....
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Comrade Tortoise
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#6
Honestly, it is actually easier and lss time consuming in all likelyhood, to chemically clean venus than it would be to keep an atmosphere around mars. The problem with mars is that its gravitational pull is not sufficient to keep a breathable atmosphere...Domes would work though. Oh, and I would also like to post a little picture considering where this came from...
That's right, suck it down
I couldnt resist. Let give props to our new School of Earth and Space Exploration. :)
That's right, suck it down
I couldnt resist. Let give props to our new School of Earth and Space Exploration. :)
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
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Mayabird
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#7
It doesn't help that Mars lacks a planetary magnetic field. Still, a bunch of giant space mirrors and a little work, and I could have beachfront property on Mars.
I've already picked out the possible future island I want. It'll be in the northern ocean. It's probably a plateau or mountain right now but it'll be an island.
I've already picked out the possible future island I want. It'll be in the northern ocean. It's probably a plateau or mountain right now but it'll be an island.
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Zeek Genateer
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#8
Even though it probably won't happen until after I die (when does science ever move at a good pace, where are my flying cars??) I'd love to live there, god this life is so boring, just get up, work, pseudolife online, bed. At least give me something intresting...
Anyway I wouldn't care as long as I didn't have to live next to a lot of people, they interfere with my pseudolife.
Anyway I wouldn't care as long as I didn't have to live next to a lot of people, they interfere with my pseudolife.
Me- "I'll admin my foot up your ass!"
Your school isn't diverse if you don't have a commie.
K-9: You have triggered primary alert function.
The Doctor: Blast!
K-9: Affirmative.
Check out my site
Your school isn't diverse if you don't have a commie.
K-9: You have triggered primary alert function.
The Doctor: Blast!
K-9: Affirmative.
Check out my site
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The Duchess of Zeon
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#9
Don't bet on your dying. At the current rates of lifespan progression someone in their 20's these days has a decent chance of an average life expectancy into their 100s... And by 2087 technological progression might well yield at least enough cybernetics and bio therapies to keep you around indefinitely, if in a rather weird state. But I'd find it cool to be a twisted cyborg. Hmm. Of course it will probably only be available for the very rich.
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Lord Iames Osari
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#10
And all the Trekkies would make Borg jokes.