Posted on 01/23/2004 12:10:04 AM PST by ambrose
| Mars: Facts and Myths | |||
Expected conditions on Mars: Freezing temperatures, mighty dust storms and tornadoes much larger than any on Earth. Some regions on Mars are subject to winds strong enough to move sand on the surface and to suspend dust in the atmosphere. In the southern hemisphere between late spring and early summer, when Mars is near perihelion and the heating of southern near-equatorial latitudes is most intense, causing huge dust storms to form, obscuring the surface for weeks or even months on end. Temperature: Surface temperatures can reach 17 °C (63 °F) during the Martian summer, and can reach as low as -123 °C (-189 °F) at the poles during the Martian winter, causing some of the carbon dixide in the atmsophere to freeze out as 'dry ice', forming the white deposits on the polar caps that can be seen with a modest telescope from Earth. Atmosphere: Is thinner than Earth's and is comprised of 95 per cent carbon dioxide with traces of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, carbon monoxide, argon and other noble gases. Only a miniscule 0.13 per cent of it is oxygen. Gravity: Is only a fraction of that on Earth Pressure: The surface pressure is about 0.6 per cent that of Earth and varies due to the seasonal freezing and evaporation of carbon dioxide at the poles. Picturesque beauty: Mars' geology is really absorbing, containing the largest mountains in the Solar System and has large valleys with very steep sides. Water on Mars?: There is evidence of erosion on Mars due to flood plains and small river systems. At some time in the past there was clearly some sort of fluid on the surface, possibly liquid water. Recent exploration suggests there may be water, in the form of ice, below the surface. Moons: Mars has two small, heavily cratered moons, Phobos and Diemos. Despite these differences Mars is more like our planet than anywhere else in the Solar System, the reason why humans are bent on unfolding its mystery and a manned mission to Mars looks like a possibility in the next three decades. MYTHS: Mars has fascinated skygazers for ages. The Red Planet was named after the Roman God of War, a reference to what looked like a blood stained surface. In fact, the red color is caused by oxidation of the iron-rich minerals on the planet's surface. Intelligent Martians: One of the most long-standing myths about Mars is that intelligent life could be found there. Interestingly, this belief can be attributed to a small error in translation. When nineteenth-century Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli described the planet's surface features as canali (Italian word for 'channels'), it was incorrectly translated as "canals" (the English for artificial waterways). After years of studies, American astronomer Percival Lowell hypothesized that a Martian civilisation had built the canals to carry water from the melting polar ice caps to dry regions of the planet. But Lowell failed to convince others of the truth of his ideas. It is now believed that the white deposits on the poles are not water, but dry ice - frozen carbon dioxide. Monument on Mars: There's a shadowy structure located in the Cydonia Mensae region in the northern hemisphere. Comparing it to the Egyptian Pyramids, some people claim it is a huge monument left by an ancient civilisation. The United States' Viking 1 and 2 orbiters photographed of this area, and no evidence of artificial structures was found. Scientists believe that the facelike image - like the "Man in the Moon" - is the result of chance lighting conditions on a natural feature. Threat to Earth: Mars has long been portrayed by mythmakers as a potential threat to Earth. published in 1898, the Famous English novelist HG Wells, in his The War of the Worlds, invented the idea of a Martian invasion of Earth. The question still is: Would it ever be possible for humans to settle down permanently on Mars? Well, as far as plans for human existence on Mars is concerned, we still have a long way to go. Despite all the information scientists have acquired, we still need to know more. Life on Mars: It is possible that life forms from Mars in the shape of micro-organisms have been landing on our planet for billions of years. Studies of meteorites from Mars that were found in Antarctica show what scientists call the fossil remains of tiny bacteria. But that's far removed from the popular myths of a civilisation that could build canals and monuments, and launch an invasion of Earth. |
|||
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.