Water found on Mars

[BanzaiCat]

I'm surprised you space geeks (I am one so I can say this) haven't said anything about this. Or that more of a 'thing' has not been made of it yet.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/13/nasas-curiosity-rover-finds-water-below-surface-of-mars

Mars has liquid water just below its surface, according to new measurements by Nasa's Curiosity rover.

Until now, scientists had thought that conditions on the red planet were too cold and arid for liquid water to exist, although there were known to be deposits of ice.

Prof Andrew Coates, head of planetary science at the Mullard Space Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, said: "The evidence so far is that any water would be in the form of permafrost. It's the first time we've had evidence of liquid water there now."

The latest findings suggest that Martian soil is damp with liquid brine, due to the presence of a salt that significantly lowers the freezing point of water. When mixed with calcium perchlorate liquid water can exist down to around -70C, and the salt also soaks up water vapour from the atmosphere.

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The water would be present in tiny quantities between the grains of soil, rather than in droplet form. "If you dug a trench you might see that the soil at the base was a bit darker," said Madsen.

Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 in the large crater, Gale, located just south of the equator. The giant crater is 154 kilometres in diameter and the rim of the crater is almost five kilometres high.

In the middle of the crater lies Mount Sharp, which Curiosity is currently ascending.

Observations by the Mars probe's stereo camera have previously shown areas characteristic of old riverbed, with rounded pebbles that indicate there were flowing rivers up to one metre deep in the past.

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The latest close-up images show slanting expanses of sedimentary deposits, lying one above the other. "These kind of deposits are formed when large amounts of water flow down the slopes of the crater and these streams of water meet the stagnant water in the form of a lake," said Madsen.

I know the talk of Mars having water on it has been long and supportive of it having such a thing, and that Mars might have been close to what Earth is today, but wrapping my mind around that still defies comprehension.

I hope NASA gets there in my lifetime.

(The Guardian annoys me by having "Nasa" instead of "NASA."  >:( )

[Martok]

I won't speak for anyone else, but I hadn't said anything because I was quite honestly more-or-less expecting a discovery of this nature.  When it comes to the Red Planet, scientists have found themselves proven wrong so frequently these last few years -- especially with respect to the possible existence, amounts, and state of water deposits on the planet -- that something like this seemed inevitable. 

That being said, I was certainly excited when I read the news.  8) 

[bbmike]

Well, if real life is anything like Stardrive 2 the Vulfar should be along any moment now.

[Airborne Rifles]

This grog for one welcomes our new our new Martian overlords.

[bbmike]

[doublepost]

[Martok]

Well, if real life is anything like Stardrive 2 the Vulfar should be along any moment now.

Ha! 

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

I hear Nestle's already negotiated bottling rights that grant them unlimited access to the water for free.

[Staggerwing]

I hear Nestle's already negotiated bottling rights that grant them unlimited access to the water for free.

Sounds like it would only be good for a briny mouthwash/gargle so Pfizer might be planning a 'Martian Listerine' media blitz soon.

[W8taminute]

I can't believe I didn't hear of this.  I'm glad I checked in here today.  This is great news!

Well, if real life is anything like Stardrive 2 the Vulfar should be along any moment now.

Yep.  Unfortunately because we have made this discovery the AI has decided it is time for us to die.  I'll be looking for a report on the news now for a command rating of 14 fleet on an intercept course with Earth.  Do we have anything that can repel firepower of that magnitude?

[besilarius]

Beware the unheralded power of the Mirth Star!!!

[BanzaiCat]

Wait...if Mirth and Star have been there already...

ARE YOU SURE THAT'S WATER?!?!?

[Gusington]

OOOOOOH LAAAAAAAA!!!!

[GDS_Starfury]

Beware the unheralded power of the Mirth Star!!!

Small potatoes my friend.  We shall deploy the Bawb 'Stache!

[Staggerwing]

Gus, I'm quite smitten with your new BOC avatar! AAMOF (as a matter of fact) Secret Treaties was the first record I ever bought, back in either 1974 or 1975. Hearing a bunch of Rock&Rollers sing about Me262s, Junker Jumo 004s, and R4M rockets was a history nerdgasm before the concept was 'cool', or even invented.

[BanzaiCat]

Gus, I'm quite smitten with your new BOC avatar! AAMOF (as a matter of fact) Secret Treaties was the first record I ever bought, back in either 1974 or 1975. Hearing a bunch of Rock&Rollers sing about Me262s, Junker Jumo 004s, and R4M rockets was a history nerdgasm before the concept was 'cool', or even invented.

I admit my ignorance of this particular album. A quick preview on Amazon and it's being downloaded now, to make up for my past transgression.