Evidence for (or against) water on Mars - Research Paper Example

? Evidence for (or against) water on Mars Jiayi Chen EAS 591 Planetary Surfaces Oct. 16th, Introduction The issue of presence of water on mars has been a challenging question for many astronomers since 1877. “In the 1800s, human imaginations ran wild as astronomers glimpsed what they took to be canals on the Martian surface. Scientists pondered the possibility of life on the red planet, while artists and dreamers such as H.G. Wells took the notion even further, imagining a Martian conquest of Earth in his 1898 book "War of the Worlds."” (Doydey and Lamb). Some astronomers argue that water exists on mars planet in the form of water ice. Many scientists claim that Mars contains water because it supports life of all forms. The Mars volcanic activities that lead to freezing and melting of ice can be another example of underground water existence. Polar ice caps can exemplify water existence on Mars because of carbon dioxide ice. Therefore, volcanic activities, the existence of polar ice caps and presence of chemical compounds on the Martian surface rocks confirm water in the Mars planet. Notwithstanding that there were hundreds of investigation held, the issue is still controversial and needs further research. However, this research can be implemented only with the help of further technological achievements. The planet Mars consists of water in the form of ice. Mars planet has two polar ice caps, which are constant. The Martian pole in winter is in constant darkness and the surface is chilled. This contributes to approximately 30 percent of the atmosphere, which is in the form of carbon dioxide ice (dry ice). However, when the sun strikes the poles, the carbon dioxide ice sublimes and forms winds that sweep the poles away at a speed of 400km/h (Murdin, 2009). Sublimation is a process of transforming solid substances into the gaseous state without passing through liquid stage. This is because most chemical compounds at normal pressures show fluctuation of varied temperatures. Most solid substances containing vapor pressure can increase at certain temperatures such as water ice, which is below 0°C. Ice and snow undergoes sublimation process at a slow process but below the melting point. Murdin (2009) argues that water exist on Mars in the form of ice. Dowdey and Lamb agree with his “Mars is replete with water, but most (if not all) of it is in frozen or vapor form. For instance, ice caps the planet's poles, and patches of ice lie over dunes in craters” (Dowdey and Lamb).The Martian surface rocks occur in high latitude areas, which are known as permafrost, which is in a freezing state below the 0°C. Most permafrost areas are located in high latitudes, and ice is not always present, but they occur due to hydraulic saturation of the bedrock materials. Water vapor is always presented in the atmosphere but the permafrost is lacking of liquid water. The present condition of the surface of many planets does no longer support the existence of water in liquid form for a longer period. This is because the atmospheric temperature is too low. In this case immediate freezing and sublimation processes occur. The research study indicates that the liquid water exists in liquid water flow on the earth’s surfaces thus creating larger surface areas for oceans or seas. There are varied proofs about the presence of water in Mars. With increased technology, the scientists are now able to use advanced cameras of Mars orbiters including the mars odyssey, global mass surveyor and reconnaissance orbiters for visual confirmation of the presence of water in the mars planet. With the help of different technical tools modern scientists are very much focused on possible effective ways of water finding on Mars. Quality of water is another important issue for their concern. Further on we will focus on different theories and hypotheses about water existence on Mars planet. NASA's charge to researchers on the mission has been simple: “Follow the water," meaning examine all aspects of water-or ice on Mars. No water in aliquid state has been found yet, Lemmon says, but there is new evidence that Mars had liquid water billions of years ago” (Science and Children, September 2009). The geologists reveal that nowadays, the Mars planet have abundant water through which the snow and raindrops on the planet can occur hence forming lakes, rivers and seas. On the one hand, there are many different points of view confirming the existence of water on Mars, but, on the other hand, qualification characteristics of Mars water should be taken considered. According to Clark, “data began to flow back to Earth from the cameras. Images built up on the monitor screens line by line but the scientists stared in mounting disappointment. Nothing was visible. The whole planet was engulfed in a dust storm. All the exquisite geology that the spacecraft was meant to see lay buried under a blanket of suspended particles” (Clark). “On the basis of laboratory tests it is possible to determine if salty water is indeed spreading out at times on Mars."I think it's lab experiments that are going to give us the fundamental answers we need here: whether this is related to Mars' habitability or not" (NASA Mars Rover Fully Analyzes First Martian Soil Samples, 2012). It can be said that from this perspective the existence of water on Mars is not the only one right proof of a possible human existence on Mars. It is possible for the water to be accessible more to the earth. There are many different scientists, who are taking into account various missions of water investigation on Mars. Water is rather salty to be liquid on the planet of Mars, but it does not make a huge contribution into the structure of the planet's earth. NASA is focused on Mars surface explorations and it is focused on launching of geology station on the planet in November. The snow has been identified on Mars as new and alternative type of water. Mars is one of the planets with abundant water that supports life of all forms. The presence of water in Mars led to climatic changes that frequently deposits water rich materials in high latitude areas. There is a need to say some words about hidden water reservoir, which is megaregolith. For example, such facts as abundant evidence for water erosion on the surface, impact craters with lobate ejecta prove the presence of water in the ground. At the same time, there is a great challenge, which requires substantial amount of water and it should be noted that water must be hidden in the ground (Klautz, 2011). “Since life as we know it -- even the most bizarre varieties -- depends on liquid water, scientists assume that it would also be a necessity for extraterrestrial organisms. Mars is replete with water, but most (if not all) of it is in frozen or vapor form. For instance, ice caps the planet's poles, and patches of ice lie over dunes in craters” (Dowdey and Lamb). It is possible to claim that there are big deposits of water beneath the Martian surface. Can humans be tapped into Mars's watery bounty? This is an interesting question but it is possible to give answer to it only in case of scientific proofs about real water existence on Mars. There are some counterarguments concerning the presence of water on Mars, such as frigidity of Martian surface, instability of liquid water, a possibility of warming up underground water with the help of blanket of porous sediment. It is even suggested that there are rivers on Mars, which are thousand times larger than the Mississippi River. Supposedly, they have been formed from underground water. Shallow groundwater reservoirs are common in Mars's upper crust. Thermal modeling found out that there is an "intriguing possibility" of water existence on Mars planet. Currently heat moves from the planet' interior to its surface. Some researchers nowadays compare modern Martian groundwater reservoirs with the aquifers that are located beneath icy permafrost in Earth's northern regions. Consequently, Martian reservoirs of water can lead to in finding deep dunes over water-rich areas. Another fact of water existence on mars can be present in the following way: “ The Min's examination of Rocknest samples found the composition is about half common volcanic minerals and half non-crystalline materials such as glass. SAM added information about ingredients present in much lower concentrations and about ratios of isotopes. Isotopes are different forms of the same element and can provide clues about environmental changes. The water seen by SAM does not mean the drift was wet. Water molecules bound to grains of sand or dust is not unusual, but the quantity seen was higher than anticipated "(NASA Mars Rover Fully Analyzes First Martian Soil Samples, 2012). Water would lie under unconsolidated sediments and drilling for water could be very easy and not very expensive. Planet exploration is a long-term process, which requires long-term human resources contribution and financial investments. The challenge of water existence on Mars is often referred to by the researchers in the following way: "From a biological perspective, the presence of liquid water is the only constraint for life development on Mars, given the presence of different energy sources and alternative radiation-protection mechanisms" (Brown). Therefore, glaciers and different frozen ground can occur in the result of the deposited materials. For instance, the high latitude areas such as slopes may consist of little water, which can melt and run down the slope causing gullies. The research underlines that the changes of high altitudes areas could have been a result of liquid water. Mars planet has been often considered as a cold planet and water could exist in liquid form in case it contains salts. The possibilities of presence of water on Mars have been examined by many geographers and historians. To the historians, the issue of Mars containing water is a critical question; thus, some of them argue that the Mars places have been dry for many decades because of the presence of olivine (magnesium iron silicate) which is decayed by water. However, others argue that the presence of clay or sulfate substances on the Martian surface is an indication that Mars has liquid water. Although sulfate bolsters present their own problems because they form under acidic environment, thus some organism may not survive in the acidic conditions while others can survive in acidic conditions; hence, the question remains rhetoric. The scientific discovery of a living organism living under extreme environment has contributed to renewed hope that Mars planet support life of all forms (Harland, 2005). For instance, some organism such as microbes that live under the Mars polar caps and other microorganisms in the surface rock reveals that there is the presence of water in the Mars planet. Some researchers reveal that Mars could have enough water for supporting life on the planet. There are some research evidences showing that Mars has liquid water and forms lakes, ocean and even river valleys (Harland 2005, p.121). This is because of the vast water quantities, which are frozen underneath the Martian surface. The scientists reveal that Mars planet plays varied volcanic activities; thus is likely that life exists in areas of volcanoes and underground hot magma reservoirs. For instance, some organisms exist in the basalt rock of Mars. The research study shows that some life form adopts in high temperature areas. Therefore, the volcanic activities taking place in the Mars planet may lead to melting of ice. The melting ice contributes to the formation of liquid water, which circulates through the underlying rock. For instance, the presence of hot springs remains was spotted by Reconnaissance orbiter of Mars in Yellowstone national park. Moreover, Lake Vostok in the areas of Antarctica is an implication that liquid water is present in the Mars planet. This water was present before glaciations process began; thus, lakes did not freeze. Although, some researchers argue that in case water existed in the Mars planet before the polar ice caps, then there is a possibility that water exists below the polar ice caps (Jastrow and Rampino, 2008). Therefore, the asteroid impact may cause the release of water, and this impact may contribute to the flow of water in the form of floods. Scientists believe that Mars have plenty water amounts because of the presence of the river valleys. Accordign to Stuart Clark, “early results from Curiosity's 'weather station' instruments suggest that the pressure in the Martian atmosphere could already be rising faster than expected. The trouble is that no one understands the Martian atmosphere well enough to know whether this makes a storm more or less likely” (Clark). There is an option to focus on water existence and to take into account different forms of water and various types of forms of water, which will enable the contemporaries to have an option of living on another planet. The hydrated chemical substances found on the Martian surface rocks and presence of carbonate rock layers on the bottom of river valleys reveals water presence in Mars planet. Harland (2005) points out that magnesium salts in the Martian rock surfaces acts as antifreeze; hence maintaining water in a liquid form at below the standard freezing point. The presence of carbonate rock layers in the bottom of river valleys is an indication that water exists in the Mars planet. Liquid water exists on Mars in the presence of low atmospheric temperatures for short periods. Therefore, the recent discovery of gulley deposits on river valleys provide a common believe that liquid water flowed in to the bottom of rocks. The scientists believe that the gulley deposits were formed due to liquid water, which flowed from permafrost. Conclusion In conclusion, there are varied evidences that reveal water exists in Mars planet in liquid or ice form. For instance, the volcanic activities taking place in the surface rock is an evidence of presence of water in the Mars planet. Moreover, the presence of polar ice caps that contribute to melting of glacier and ice water into liquid is evidence for water availability in the Mars. The presence of chemical compounds on the Martian surface rocks such as magnesium salts and carbon dioxide reveals the presence of water in the Mars planet. Lastly, living organisms in the Mars planets reveals that water exists in the planet Mars because liquid water supports life of all forms. Therefore, this research paper cedes on the modern researches and studies. Moreover, nowadays water searching for Mars is on the way. The issue still remains controversial and really needs further research. However, only future technological achievements can provide us with opportunities for further research in this field. The scientists are focused on underneath water on Mars, but they are much focused on future opportunities in case they find water on the planet. References Brown, J. H. Follow the Water on Mars. Retrieved from: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/UHNAI/NAIweb/presentations/37-Head-FollowWater.pdf Harland, D. M. (2005). Water and the search for life on Mars. Berlin: Springer. Jastrow, R., & Rampino, M. R. (2008). Origins of life in the universe. Cambridge: Cambridge Klautz, I. Trickle of salt water on Mars. (Aug 04, 2011). Retrieved from: http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-salt-water-surface-110804.html Murdin, P. (2009). Secrets of the universe: How we discovered the cosmos. Chicago: University Press. NASA Mars Rover Fully Analyzes First Martian Soil Samples. (03 Dec, 2012). Retrieved from: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/dec/HQ_12-415_Curiosity_Soil_Samples.html Clark, Stuart. Water on Mars Has a Long History. Retrieved from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/across-the-universe/2012/oct/01/water-mars-history Dowdey, Sarah, Lamb, Robert. Is there really water on Mars? Retrieved from: http://science.howstuffworks.com/water-on-mars.htm Read More