Space
Mars Water Is Boiling, Flowing; Still Not Suitable For Humans
Michael Finn
First Posted: May 05, 2016 05:10 AM EDT
Mars' liquid water has been found not only flowing, but also boiling. The new discovery resulted in an experiment, which explained how the finding was made. Including its implications, this solved one of the key mysteries concerning the planet's surface.
The Red Planet's atmosphere and conditions were simulated in a chamber built by the researchers, where ice was placed inside to melt. Aside from the melted ice and flowing water, it was found that water was also boiling while it flowed. It was also observed that the boiling strength was enough to move the water, including the debris and dirt around the streams. Also notable was the temperature that appeared to be insignificant in the boiling process due to the atmospheric pressure, The Guardian reported.
Mars' atmospheric pressure is lower than the Earth's, which means that the water boils at a lower temperature compared on Earth, as explained by Susan Conway, the research paper's co-author. Conway further stated that the pressure on Mars is five to 10 millibars, which means that water will boil regardless of the degree of temperature.
Prior to this new discovery, scientists have long revealed the presence of flowing water on the Red Planet, because of the images that show Mars' changing landscape from one season to another, Universe Today reported.
According to the study, the warmer the temperature gets, the more the water will flow, even if the summer temperatures must be very cold. This is due to the fact that rather than the water that was used to be seen in the Earth's streams and rivers, the water flowing on Mars is considered salty-brine that contributes to the water's lowered freezing point. However, given such findings, scientists until now have no specific idea on how this can be solved.
Meanwhile, new discoveries on Mars also gave more clues regarding the presence of life, although this does not appear to be a great news in terms of the existence of life. As Conway explained, the findings indicate the need for less water, and that the water produced is only temporary, hence, not an ideal environment for the micro-organisms.
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First Posted: May 05, 2016 05:10 AM EDT
Mars' liquid water has been found not only flowing, but also boiling. The new discovery resulted in an experiment, which explained how the finding was made. Including its implications, this solved one of the key mysteries concerning the planet's surface.
The Red Planet's atmosphere and conditions were simulated in a chamber built by the researchers, where ice was placed inside to melt. Aside from the melted ice and flowing water, it was found that water was also boiling while it flowed. It was also observed that the boiling strength was enough to move the water, including the debris and dirt around the streams. Also notable was the temperature that appeared to be insignificant in the boiling process due to the atmospheric pressure, The Guardian reported.
Mars' atmospheric pressure is lower than the Earth's, which means that the water boils at a lower temperature compared on Earth, as explained by Susan Conway, the research paper's co-author. Conway further stated that the pressure on Mars is five to 10 millibars, which means that water will boil regardless of the degree of temperature.
Prior to this new discovery, scientists have long revealed the presence of flowing water on the Red Planet, because of the images that show Mars' changing landscape from one season to another, Universe Today reported.
According to the study, the warmer the temperature gets, the more the water will flow, even if the summer temperatures must be very cold. This is due to the fact that rather than the water that was used to be seen in the Earth's streams and rivers, the water flowing on Mars is considered salty-brine that contributes to the water's lowered freezing point. However, given such findings, scientists until now have no specific idea on how this can be solved.
Meanwhile, new discoveries on Mars also gave more clues regarding the presence of life, although this does not appear to be a great news in terms of the existence of life. As Conway explained, the findings indicate the need for less water, and that the water produced is only temporary, hence, not an ideal environment for the micro-organisms.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone