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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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New Images May Show Ancient Martian Lake

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(AP) – New images suggest Mars had a sizable lake on its surface billions of years ago, further evidence that the planet had a watery past. Images snapped by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter reveal a 30-mile-long canyon where water once flowed and beach remnants surrounding a basin. Dubbed the Shalbatana lake for the valley it's located in, scientists believe it is about the size of Lake Champlain.

The lead researcher estimates the lake formed 3.4 billion years ago at a time when the planet was believed to be cold and dry. It probably evaporated or froze over, he said. A Cornell University Mars expert called it a neat find, but he said he would like to see other data besides images to support the notion of a lake.

Echus Chasma, one of the largest water source regions on the Red Planet.
Echus Chasma, one of the largest water source regions on the Red Planet.   (AP Photo)
A color-enhanced image of the delta in Jezero Crater, which once held a lake.
A color-enhanced image of the delta in Jezero Crater, which once held a lake.   (AP Photo)
Holden Crater in the southern hemisphere of Mars, which hosts an old river.
Holden Crater in the southern hemisphere of Mars, which hosts an old river.   (AP Photo)
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6 comments
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Rob
Jun 18, 09 5:04 PM CDT
I want beachfront property and live in a Martian libertarian utopia. Reply
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jun 18, 09 5:15 PM CDT
You'll need to fully support a tax and spend liberal agenda. lol
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0
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Jun 26, 09 3:28 AM CDT
Or maybe you just have to support the notion that we're near the best country on earth and spend that way, instead of a 2nd world country with all the money going to a corrupt elite, as it does now.
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0
riffran
Jun 18, 09 9:13 PM CDT
one theory about the water, is that with a lack of a significant magnetic sphere, to protect the planet from ionized solar wind,the solar wind has slowly eroded away the atmosphere, and sublimated the majority of the H2O away...then you get into the metor bombardment stuff, and other even wilder ideas Reply
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+1
taiwokay
Jun 19, 09 2:03 AM CDT
Woow! never knew before now. Reply
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