Brine on Mars?

Posted by michael on Friday February 20, 2004 @01:57AM from the still-need-gin-vermouth-and-olives dept.

Bagels writes "A new article on MSNBC (coming originally from Space.com) reports that the both Rovers may have struck water in the form of brine. The Opportunity rover found hints of salty water in the trench that it dug, and scientists note that the Spirit rover is currently digging a trench of its own to investigate the soil that clings to its treads, suggesting the possibility of moisture. The brine would only be small amounts of water mixed with salt, which can exist in liquid form at very low temperatures. More images are available over at NASA's rover site." Reader frovingslosh would like to add: "I'm just hoping that when you get around to posting one of the many stories that the rover has found mud on Mars that you might include a link to the slashdot article where I predicted this but got moderated as 'funny'." Done!

3 of 333 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Let's not forget by W32.Klez.A · 2004-02-20 02:04 · Score: 4, Insightful

Jokes, aside, let's not forget that this could house some microbial life, at the very least. Just look at our ocean's seabed around the vents.
Re:This Just In: by CuriHP · 2004-02-20 02:04 · Score: 5, Insightful

No, the ice caps have been known to be largely water ice for a while now. There was another story confirming it a few weeks ago. The real news here is liquid water.

--
If it's not on fire, it's a software problem.
Re:If there is water on mars by Speare · 2004-02-20 02:37 · Score: 4, Insightful

Even if the water DID evaporate, it would not, "move into outer space." There's this thing called gravity, which works on the molecules of gas-phase matter just as much as it works on liquids. The air doesn't "move into outer space," does it? The vapor would rise until it found equilibrium with other atmospheric gases. If there was a lot of water, you'd see it in the form of clouds.

--
[ .sig file not found ]