Researchers Say Sea of Ice Found on Mars

AP via Yahoo News ^ | 2/22/05 | by TOBY STERLING

[Arnold Zephel]

The evidence comes from photographs — not yet published — taken last year by the European Space Agency's Mars Express probe currently orbiting the red planet.

The scientists said the existence of water or ice would significantly increase the chance that microscopic life may also be found on Mars.

Scientists have long theorized there was once water on Mars, and data from NASA (news - web sites)'s Mars Rovers has recently appeared to confirm it. But most scientists believed the water had evaporated into the atmosphere early in the planet's history.

"The point is that the ice is very recent: it appears to still be there, covered beneath a layer of dust and ash," John Murray of Britain's Open University told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Murray co-authored a paper detailing the findings which was to be published in the March 17 issue of Nature.

"You can see pack ice in formations that are remarkably similar, identical to ice floes in Antarctica," he said.

Murray said the ice was believed to have formed five million years ago — the blink of an eye, in geological terms — atop a body of water the size of Earth's North Sea.

The water is believed to have originated beneath the surface of Mars, near a series of fractures known as the Cerberus Fossae, where it gushed forth in a catastrophic flood after being warmed by the planet's core.

It collected in a vast area more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) long and wide, and 45 meters deep (50 yards).

"If there were warm, wet places, then life could have developed," Murray said.

"That's the place we should look."

The findings were discussed at a major conference in Noordwijk which concludes Friday.

[Arnold Zephel]

Oh yeah, but does Mars have "homosexual" pengins. LOL!

[Darkwolf377]

MHL season still a no go

[kingattax]

any bets on how soon a McDonalds will be there ?

[yankeedame]

any bets on how soon a McDonalds will be there ?

You mean a Waffle House.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Start the reactor Quaid! Free Mars!

[UseYourHead]

[MarketR]

Should read..."Sea of Rocket fuel found on Mars"

[usgator]

Bush and his FREAKIN' global warming strike again!  Speaking on behave of any potential life on Mars, I demand his resignation effective immediately.   Hell, throw Rumsfeld's resignation on there too ... I'm sure he'll find some way to say that is where Iraq hid their WMD's and invade it!

[usgator]

MHL season still a no go

Mars Hockey League?

[Darkwolf377]

You got it. ;)

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[usgator]

You got it. ;)

Can you imagine a slapshot on Mars?

[demlosers]

Old news:

[cripplecreek]

Ive read that a pitcher couldn't throw a decent curve ball on mars. Apparently the low atmospheric pressure and low gravity screws the physics of a curve ball up.

On the other hand a hockey puck might do some real traveling in that environment.

[jtminton]

I'll believe it when they bring back a bottle of it.

[usgator]

pitcher couldn't throw a decent curve ball on mars

So I guess using a boomerang would be futile?

[cripplecreek]

Gotta find a different method of taking down martian kangaroos I guess.

[usgator]

I'll believe it when they bring back a bottle of it.

You might be on to something there ... Intergalactic Spring Water!

[Darkwolf377]

Accuracy is important--if you miss the net, they have to hope the orbital space station catches the puck.

[JewishRighter]

this is great news indeed. We will be able to keep our beer nice and cold.