Large Aquifers on Early Mars

[Celebration]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051202133454.htm

Substantial quantities of liquid water must have been stably present in the early history of Mars. The findings of OMEGA, on board ESA's Mars Express, have implications on the climatic history of the planet and the question of its 'habitability' at some point in its history.

These conclusions were drawn thanks to data on Martian surface minerals obtained by OMEGA (Observatoire pour la Mineralogy, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité), the visible and infrared mapping spectrometer on board ESA's Mars Express.

From previous observations, Mars must have undergone water-driven processes, which left their signature in surface structures such as channel systems and signs of extensive aqueous erosion. However, such observations do not necessarily imply the stable presence of liquid water on the surface over extended periods of time during the Martian history.

The data collected by OMEGA unambiguously reveal the presence of specific surface minerals which imply the long-term presence of large amounts of liquid water on the planet.<[/div>

[greiner3]

1. Was there enough time when liquid water was present;

On Mars for life to have gotten a foothold? Have the earth landers contaminated Mars with mictrobes? Both answers may soon be answered with soon to be released Mars missions.

[Psephos]

2. It's possible life began on Mars, and travelled to Earth via meteorite

Some early Solar system scenarios depict Mars as initially more habitable because of its further distance from the young hot sun.

Meteor collisions were a commonplace four billion years ago, and the fair number of Mars rocks already found on Earth confirm the existence of the transport.

Fun to think about....

Peace.