For years , scientists thought the Earth was unique in that it was the only physical structure in our solar system to harbor water . Well , the more we explore , the more we realize that we live in asoggy solar system . pee lurks on nigh every body in our cosmic neighborhood . Earlier this week , NASA declare that our closest neighbor , Mars , hasliquid water on its airfoil .
One of the most common questions to this news is " can we imbibe this water supply ? " The brusque resolution is yes ; however , it ’s a second more complicated than that . Right now , we know that water does n’t really flow on the surface of Mars , it seeps – think more like wet grime . As theCuriosity roverand various other Martian landers have teach us , the Martian filth is plenteous in a case of hydrated Strategic Arms Limitation Talks call perchlorate . The presence of these salts is what gain the presence of liquid piddle potential .
In the exceedingly harsh Martian surroundings , pure water can not last on the control surface for any period of time . The summation of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks from the stain alters the temperature at which water freeze or evaporates , thus allowing the urine to remain in liquified signifier longer . succeeding astronauts living and shape on the Red Planet would not be pledge the brackish water we currently see on the airfoil . alternatively , we want to get the source of the urine , as it will guide us to a drinkable supplying .
We know more about than Mars than any other body in our solar system ( aside from Earth ) , since we ’ve spent the last 50 years studying it . As a result , scientist have a pretty beneficial idea of what Mars ’ interior looks like . We also know that at the poles there are glacial glacial caps of weewee underneath layers of carbon dioxide . The Martian soil is incredibly moist , and loaded with elements such as carbon , hydrogen , morning star , sulfur , oxygen , and nitrogen .
According to Jim Green , NASA ’s planetary skill division director , the tonality to finding drinkable water on Mars will be to locate freshwater aquifers below the Martian surface . Based on data collected so far , we know they subsist , but we are n’t trusted how extensive they are and where on the dot they are turn up . Green aver our best chance of function these aquifer is with the upcomingMars 2020 rover . equip with priming - penetrating radar , the bird of passage will provide centimeter - scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface . Dubbed the Radar Imager for Mars ' Subsurface Experiment ( RIMFAX ) , the Norwegian - build instrument will tell us where the aquifer are place and also give us particular about Martian geology .
While an official landing site has yet to be determined for the robotic explorer , scientists will have to use carefulness when making their extract . The Mars 2020 rover is equipped with a radioisotope thermoelectric author ( RTG ) – fundamentally , a nuclear power source . As explained in arecent article , scouter are not allowed to rove the Red Planet all willy nilly ; there are specific guideline governing where they can and can not go . Since Mars 2020 will trust on atomic power , it will necessitate to down in an area void of any possible inhabitable condition or liquid water . This is a rubber safeguard in case of a crash landing place – they do n’t require to wipe out any likely habitable areas .
Mars 2020 will not only help run us to the water , it will also test outtechnologies neededfor succeeding human commission , but on a small scurf . last out tuned for more details as this delegacy is still in development .
