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NASA has confirmed that the Phoenix Mars Lander has identified water on Mars, while heating samples of soil it found in a trench. This is the first real instance of confirmed water samples on mars, and thus pave the way for finding positive signs of life on Mars, because water is a requirement for life as we know it. Heating of samples and resulting vapor led scientists to conclude that the rover had identified water for the first time.
Quoting Toms Guide:
A group led by William Boynton of the University of Arizona said that the soil sample came from a trench. At a depth of about 2″, Phoenix’ robotic arm hit a hard layer of frozen soil. Initial attempts to retrieve samples of the icy soil failed as they got stuck in the arm’s scoop. Over a period of two days, some of the water in the sample apparently vaporized and enables Phoenix to analyze it.
The soil sample came from a trench approximately 2 inches deep. When the robotic arm first reached that depth, it hit a hard layer of frozen soil. Two attempts to deliver samples of icy soil on days when fresh material was exposed were foiled when the samples became stuck inside the scoop. Most of the material in Wednesday’s sample had been exposed to the air for two days, letting some of the water in the sample vaporize away and making the soil easier to handle
“The details and patterns we see in the ground show an ice-dominated terrain as far as the eye can see,” said Mark Lemmon of Texas A&M University, lead scientist for Phoenix’ surface stereo imager camera. “They help us plan measurements we’re making within reach of the robotic arm and interpret those measurements on a wider scale.”
The new results prompted NASA to extend funding for the Phoenix mission through Sept. 30. The original prime mission of three months ends in late August.
“Phoenix is healthy and the projections for solar power look good, so we want to take full advantage of having this resource in one of the most interesting locations on Mars,” said Michael Meyer, chief scientist for the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
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4 Comments, Comment or Ping
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It’s good that the question has finally been answered. However, it’s not all that simple. They’ve also found an oxidizing substance that they say is “detrimental” to us. We’ve got a long way to go before we can actually see a benefit in the red planet.
Aug 4th, 2008
karar
[img]http://www.savagechickens.com/images/chickennasa.jpg[/img]
Aug 21st, 2008
Reply to “Water on Mars: Now a reality, NASA Confirms findings.”