Past Mars was certainly a "blue", today announced U.S. researchers at the University of Hawaii.
They found more than 200 deposits of salt, some almost 26 kilometers long, similar to those produced on Earth by evaporation of salty lake or ocean.
"We can not yet assess whether Mars was covered by oceans because deposits appear to be separated from each other. Moreover, there can be as salt from the eruption of underground springs that once evaporated, could leave behind a large amount of minerals, "said mikki Osterloo, coordinator of the research team.
They found more than 200 deposits of salt, some almost 26 kilometers long, similar to those produced on Earth by evaporation of salty lake or ocean.
"We can not yet assess whether Mars was covered by oceans because deposits appear to be separated from each other. Moreover, there can be as salt from the eruption of underground springs that once evaporated, could leave behind a large amount of minerals, "said mikki Osterloo, coordinator of the research team.
The images on the Red planet's surface were first taken through the telescope THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) at the University of Arizona, who used a system of infrared photography.
The most important aspect is but one concerning the existence of life in the water on Mars.
The most important aspect is but one concerning the existence of life in the water on Mars.
The fact that salt preserve organic matter could be a first step toward discovering life on this planet. On Earth, bacteria found in salt deposits were revived after "hibernates" for millions of years.
NASA has already started the project of launching a spacecraft to gather samples of Martian salt deposits, at the latest, next year.
NASA has already started the project of launching a spacecraft to gather samples of Martian salt deposits, at the latest, next year.
Now, scientists analyze potential landing sites of the robot that will explore the Red Planet in 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment