 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Geophysical Detection Of Subsurface Water On Mars
Pasadena - Oct. 16, 2000 The search for subsurface water has become a primary focus of Mars exploration. Its abundance and distribution (both as ground ice and groundwater) have important implications for understanding the geologic, hydrologic, and climatic evolution of the planet, the potential origin and continued survival of life, and the accessibility of a critical in situ resource for sustaining future human explorers. For these reasons, a principal goal of the Mars science, astrobiology, and human exploration programs is to determine the three-dimensional distribution and state of subsurface H2O, at a resolution sufficient to permit reaching any desired volatile target by drilling. The three targets most often discussed are groundwater, massive deposits of near-surface ground ice (associated with the ponded discharge of the outflow channels or the relic of a former ocean), and ice-saturated frozen ground. Although the belief that Mars is water-rich is supported by a wide variety of geologic evidence, our ignorance about the heterogeneous nature and thermal evolution of the planet's crust effectively precludes geomorphic or theoretical attempts to quantitatively assess the current geographic and subsurface vertical distribution of ground ice and groundwater. For this reason, any exploration activity (such as deep drilling) whose success is contingent on the assumed presence of subsurface water must be preceded by a comprehensive high-resolution geophysical survey capable of assessing whether local reservoirs of water and ice actually exist. Terrestrial experience has demonstrated that the accurate interpretation of such data is likely to require the application of multiple geophysical techniques [e.g., see the summary of the Mars Deep Water Sounding Workshop, held at NASA Ames in January 1998]. In recognition of the high-priority and cross-discipline importance of this issue, a week-long conference on the geophysical detection of subsurface water (addressing both Earth and Mars) is planned for August 6-10, 2001, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas.
The purpose of this meeting is to: Given the enormous base of experience that already exists in these areas within the terrestrial research and exploration communities, the participation of terrestrial scientists will be actively encouraged.
Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Conference Details SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
Spirit Heading To 'Home Plate'
Pasadena CA (JPL) Jan 09, 2006Last week Spirit completed robotic-arm work on "El Dorado." The rover used all three of its spectrometers plus the microscopic imager for readings over the New Year's weekend. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
