Scientists link linear features on Mars to water
Posted: Wed, Feb 12, 2014, 6:27 AM ET (1127 GMT)
Planetary scientists analyzing data from a NASA spacecraft believe flowing water is the most likely explanation for a series of linear features seen on crater walls on Mars, but say that they do not have conclusive evidence water caused the features. Scientists examined features called recurring slope lineae (RSL), dark streaks often seen on steep slopes like crater walls that appear every Martian year. Spectral analysis of the features by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter turned up no evidence of water or salts in the RSL features studied, but they did find "distinct and consistent" signatures for ferric and ferrous minerals different from the rest fo the landscape. Scientists writing in a paper in Nature Geoscience acknowledge that they don't have a "smoking gun" for water, but that they cannot identify a mechanism for creating the RSL features that doesn't involve water.
Planetary scientists analyzing data from a NASA spacecraft believe flowing water is the most likely explanation for a series of linear features seen on crater walls on Mars, but say that they do not have conclusive evidence water caused the features. Scientists examined features called recurring slope lineae (RSL), dark streaks often seen on steep slopes like crater walls that appear every Martian year. Spectral analysis of the features by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter turned up no evidence of water or salts in the RSL features studied, but they did find "distinct and consistent" signatures for ferric and ferrous minerals different from the rest fo the landscape. Scientists writing in a paper in Nature Geoscience acknowledge that they don't have a "smoking gun" for water, but that they cannot identify a mechanism for creating the RSL features that doesn't involve water.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 5
Huge cost of my trip, what I saw – First Nigerian in space, Owolabi Salis
Punch (Nigeria) — 9:38 am ET (1338 GMT) Owolabi Salis Describes Travel to Space as ‘A Spiritual Journey,’ Urges African Youth to Explore Beyond Earth
Arise News — 9:37 am ET (1337 GMT) CoinDCX co-founder partners with ISRO scientists to launch Astrobase, raises $10 Mn
Entrackr — 9:37 am ET (1337 GMT) ISRO conducts student interactions with Gaganyatri onboard ISS
ISRO — 9:32 am ET (1332 GMT) Shux in space: ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla conducts bone, radiation, and microgravity experiments on ISS
The Economic Times (India) — 9:31 am ET (1331 GMT) |
