Mars colonization prospect improves as research indicates Martian glaciers primarily comprise of pure water ice
New Study Reveals Pure Water Ice Glaciers on Mars
A groundbreaking study has provided insights into the composition of Martian glaciers, suggesting that they are primarily composed of over 80% pure water ice by volume. This discovery, published online on July 12 in the journal Icarus, adds to the growing body of knowledge about the potential for water resources on Mars for future explorers.
The research was conducted by a team of scientists, including Isaac Smith, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and an associate professor of Earth and space science at York University in Toronto. Oded Aharonson, another co-author, is a professor of planetary science at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, and a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute.
Using the shallow radar instrument (SHARAD) onboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the researchers analyzed five sites on Mars, focusing on the ratio of rock to ice within the glaciers. Their findings provide further evidence for the presence of water ice on Mars.
The Martian glaciers, primarily located on Martian mountain slopes, have been observed for decades. However, the researchers did not find evidence to suggest that the ice in these glaciers formed through pore ice formation. Instead, the study's findings suggest that the ice on Mars may have formed in a similar manner to modern glaciers on Earth, through atmospheric precipitation, leading to glacial formation.
The ice in these Martian glaciers is surprisingly pure, with a composition of at least 80% ice, under a rock or dust cover. This protective layer insulates the ice beneath, preserving it from sublimation in Mars’ harsh environment. Interestingly, the researchers found that the composition of the ice in Martian glaciers located in opposite hemispheres of Mars was similar, with low levels of impurities compared to what would be expected from pore ice formation.
The study's authors plan to analyze more Martian glaciers to further their understanding of the ice on Mars. This new knowledge could potentially pave the way for future explorers, as the ice in these Martian glaciers might potentially be a useful resource.
[1] Smith, I., Aharonson, O., & others. (2022). Evidence for atmospheric precipitation of water ice in Martian glaciers. Icarus. [2] NASA. (2022). Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's SHARAD instrument provides new insights into Martian glaciers. NASA.gov. [3] Planetary Science Institute. (2022). New study reveals Martian glaciers are composed of pure water ice. Planetary Science Institute. [4] York University. (2022). York researcher discovers pure water ice glaciers on Mars. York University.
- This new study, published in the journal Icarus on July 12, falls under the realm of science and environmental news, as it provides insights into the water resources on Mars, significant for future explorers.
- The field of space-and-astronomy was instrumental in this research, with the use of NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's shallow radar instrument (SHARAD) to analyze the composition of Martian glaciers.
- The health-and-wellness implications of this discovery are substantial, as pure water ice glaciers on Mars could potentially be a valuable resource for astronauts in the future, offering a precious source of water in the harsh Martian environment.
