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It's Snowing on Mars

Phoenix lander can't tell whether wet stuff is reaching ground

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Sep 30, 2008 4:27 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Snow has been falling nightly in the Mars atmosphere for about a month now, giving scientists more reason to believe that life may have once existed in the red planet's polar regions. Lasers onboard the Phoenix lander have tracked icy snow falling for a mile from clouds drifting 2.5 miles above the planet’s surface, but they can’t tell whether the snow is reaching the ground, the Washington Post reports.

During the lander’s final weeks, scientists will look for signs that the snow has reached the surface, and will try to determine if it matches the ice and fog that has previously been detected on the planet. The lander has also found clay-like materials in the soil that indicate liquid water was once present. “Is this a habitable zone on Mars? I think we are approaching this hypothesis,” said a mission scientist.

The lander found clay-type minerals and calcium carbonate, both of which only form with water.
The lander found clay-type minerals and calcium carbonate, both of which only form with water.   (AP Photo)
A view from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Stereo Surface Imager's left eye after delivery of soil to the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) oven.
A view from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Stereo Surface Imager's left eye after delivery of soil to the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) oven.   (AP Photo/NASA)
As temperatures cool, scientists say it's been snowing almost nightly in Mars's atmosphere.
As temperatures cool, scientists say it's been snowing almost nightly in Mars's atmosphere.   (AP Photo/NASA)
The Phoenix has just a few weeks left before the frigid and dark winter renders it inoperable.
The Phoenix has just a few weeks left before the frigid and dark winter renders it inoperable.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Dec 3, 2008 10:23 AM CST
Snow on Mars?

Time running out for solar-powered lander
Canada.com

Data show snow vaporizing before reaching ground
Phoenix Mars Mission

 
NASA • water • Mars • science • space • Phoenix Mars Lander • snow

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