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Mars Images Reveal Evidence of Ancient Lakes
Matt_dk writes "Spectacular satellite images suggest that Mars was warm enough to sustain lakes three billion years ago, a period that was previously thought to be too cold and arid to sustain water on the surface, according to research published today in the journal Geology. Earlier research had suggested that Mars had a warm and wet early history but that between 4 billion and 3.8 billion years ago, before the Hesperian Epoch, the planet lost most of its atmosphere and became cold and dry. In the new study, the researchers analysed detailed images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is currently circling the red planet, and concluded that there were later episodes where Mars experienced warm and wet periods."
but how is dis gonna help get me my free healthcare?
Mars is just like my ex?
Until we go there and see. Interesting idea though.
"If you want to know what happens to you when you die, go look at some dead stuff."
Taking images of Mars is fine, but if they start taking pictures of Uranus you should call the police.
I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.
Contrary to what the "internet" likes to tell you, many people question what scientists say because they want to see actual proof to support the claims rather than just additional layers of theories and educated "guesses".
Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
At first I thought it was another one of those "AMAZING NEWS! MARS HAD WATER!" which I've been reading for years now.
Europa may well be warm and wet under the layer of ice. In fact Europa probably is, and might in fact harbor life. Can we please forget about Mars? Mars sucks because we keep going there and not really finding anything of importance. I am tired of Mars, there are other, more interesting places to explore.
What is so special about humans manipulating measuring equipment versus robots? This notion that we must send people into space is just romantic.
So.. Mars is the best candidate for terraforming tests?
So would 'global warming' have prevented this type of disaster?
But what have you done for us LATELY?
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
Continuing off topic...
Your post reminds me of the day a coworker came into my office with a look of deep thought on her face, asking why we need to use money. Not getting where she was going, I started explaining that money is just an accounting system. That didn't satisfy her, so I started to explain how it evolved from barter.
She stopped me, and saying that she understood that, followed by a but "Why can't we just go to work, and when we need something just go to the store and get it? Why do we need to keep track of it with money? That's what I think we should do."
At that point I got what she meant, and told her that theoretically we could. And said "What you are describing is communism." She then puffed up and angrily said "YOU are a communist." and stomped out.
KHAN!
If it were done when 'tis done, then t'were well it were done quickly... MacBeth
so that you don't lost its ea8lYier
What is so special about humans manipulating measuring equipment versus robots? This notion that we must send people into space is just romantic.
The romanticism of the adventure is one of the strongest motivators of exploration. Take that away, and it's just work.
Besides, there are practical reasons for sending humans into space. One day, in order for the human species to survive, we will have to move off this rock and travel to other regions of our galaxy. We might as well start our baby steps now.
the photo shows liquid exchange between craters. Couldn't this be something apart from water?
So, the aliens have successfully stolen all of the water from Mars (as reported in thousands of lousy science fiction movies and TV dramas). Is the Earth next on their list of planets to steal the water from? I mean, it's not like you could possibly manufacture your own water by taking a couple of common elements in the universe, like hydrogen and oxygen, and combine them using a stupid trick like fire.
Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
Our ancestors were the original inhabitants of the Red Planet who seeded life here after determining their home world was doomed to destruction (massive asteroid impact is my guess).
Sorry, too much Clarke and Heinlein as a kid I suppose.
/. Dissent will not be tolerated. Think like us or perish.
Everyone knows that all the water came from Mars to Earth - that's why it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
"Channel connecting depressions in bottom right providing clear evidence of liquid exchange between depressions."
Around here, we call that a "river"... XD Most lakes have one or two connecting them to other bodies of water.
"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
First It has to ignite Jupiter...
...aaaaaaand...now we're safe from terror...
In the long term, iceteroids in the outer solar system seem to be a reasonable source of replacement hydrogen and oxygen for a terraformed Mars.
The nice thing about them is that, assuming you have nuclear rockets of sufficient size and durability, an asteroid made of ice is essentially made of reaction mass.
Other places you could get hydrogen (or water - strip out the oxygen if you don't want it) include the gas giants themselves or some of their satellites. The inner Jovian moons are unlikely to have significant human habitation because of high radiation levels, but an automated ice-mining operation on Europa, say, isn't out of the realms of possibility.
Assuming we don't get a large black monolith sending us warnings not to land there, of course :)
Yes, all of this is well out of the realms of current engineering capabilities. But there doesn't seem to any fundamental reason why it's impossible.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo
--Andy Finkel (J. Klass?)