When
3:30 p.m., Feb. 26, 2008
Where
Kuiper Space Sciences Building 308
Michael T. Mellon,, University of Colorado, Boulder, is the scheduled speaker.
Abstract
Several decades ago the realization that Mars is relatively dry, but quite cold, lead to the hypothesis that ice-rich permafrost is widespread at middle and high latitudes. Since then, continued detailed studies and various spacecraft observations have supported this hypothesis and painted a more complex picture. One goal of the upcoming Mars Scout mission Phoenix will be to provide confirmation of the presence of ground ice and to learn something of its history. While “permafrost” implies the ice is locked away and sedentary, it can be quite dynamic and an important reservoir. Ground ice plays a powerful role in the formation of many geologic landforms, exchanges with the atmosphere and other reservoirs on short and long time scales, and is a source of water for possible life and future human explorers.
Abstract
Several decades ago the realization that Mars is relatively dry, but quite cold, lead to the hypothesis that ice-rich permafrost is widespread at middle and high latitudes. Since then, continued detailed studies and various spacecraft observations have supported this hypothesis and painted a more complex picture. One goal of the upcoming Mars Scout mission Phoenix will be to provide confirmation of the presence of ground ice and to learn something of its history. While “permafrost” implies the ice is locked away and sedentary, it can be quite dynamic and an important reservoir. Ground ice plays a powerful role in the formation of many geologic landforms, exchanges with the atmosphere and other reservoirs on short and long time scales, and is a source of water for possible life and future human explorers.
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