Study Suggests Mars Ice Caps Eroding

Yahoo News / Associated Press ^ | 12/6/2001 | PAUL RECER, AP Science Writer

[TommyDale]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Vast fields of carbon dioxide ice are eroding from the poles of Mars, suggesting that the climate of the Red Planet is warming and the atmosphere is becoming slightly more dense.

Experts say that over time such changes could allow water to return to the Martian surface and turn the frigid planet into a ``shirt-sleeve environment.''

Michael A. Caplinger, a scientist with Malin Space Science Systems, said that if the rate of carbon dioxide erosion from the Mars poles continues for thousands of years, ``then it could profoundly amend the climate of Mars.''

``You would go from having to wear a spacesuit to just wearing a coat and an oxygen atmosphere,'' said Caplinger.

[TommyDale]

I suppose that this is the result of American "big business" as well...Maybe the Kyoto agreement can be modified to include Mars.

Complete article can be found at the source above.

[Elle Bee]

that damn internal combustion engine again

I'm calling ALGORE right now

.

[TommyDale]

Oops. The first time I did a search this did not appear. Apparently it was posted yesterday...Sorry!

[KSCITYBOY]

The evil white mans intrusions on Mars destroying another environment.

[Jim Noble]

Do Martians drive Chevy Suburbans?

[Jim Noble]

Do Martians drive Chevy Suburbans?

[bloodmeridian]

Gee. I wonder if Mars is plagued by global warming.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

This is why I like FR. My immediate reaction to the headline was some sarcastic take-off on modern man's responsibilty for "Martian warming." I go to the thread, and sure enough, virtually every poster has beat me to it!

If there is one thing that characterizes FR, it is a lively sense of humor. Contrast this with the deadly dull, deadly serious approach of the Hillary crowd. Anyone care to offer an explanation?

[boris]

My first post on FR was about a NASA announcement that Triton, the moon of Neptune, had warmed about 10 degrees in a decade. 1.7 billion miles farther from the Sun than we are.

Must be all that Tritonian traffic; Al Gore was fixin' to outlaw the internal-combustion engine on Triton.

--Boris

[Blacksheep]

Finally a market for the Segway Scooter. Damn second hand smoke!

[lds23]

I guess we can blame the Rover?

[boris]

" If there is one thing that characterizes FR, it is a lively sense of humor. Contrast this with the deadly dull, deadly serious approach of the Hillary crowd. Anyone care to offer an explanation?"

Sure. Running everyone else's life is serious business. Telling people how to live requires a sober demeanor (unless you are Ted Kennedy).

Paternalism is the notion that we (the serfs) are children, irresponsible and incapable of arranging our own lives and affairs. Only the Libs (Hillary spawn) are truly "grown up".

So they have to act super-grown-up. Their biggest enemy is satire; the horselaugh is the weapon they fear most.

--Boris

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Haven't past scientific studies also indicated that the ice caps at Mars' poles grow and recede in a natural cycle?

[cake_crumb]

Darn...aren't those Martians smart enough to ban cars?

[AmericaUnited]

How is this possible since their are no evil capitalist earthlings up there wacking the rain forests or running around in SUV's?

[Clintons Are White Trash]

It must be all the lethal freon that the A/C businesses on Mars are allowing to escape into the ozone.... Sounds to me like they need some regulation as I know that the minute the government here imparted their mandates on this the hole in the ozone closed up immediately. Oh, wait, you mean it didn't?? Nevermind.....

[TomB]

Haven't past scientific studies also indicated that the ice caps at Mars' poles grow and recede in a natural cycle?

Yes, they are closely tied to sunspot cycles.

I wonder if scientists can correlate that with climate on THIS planet.....

..............nahhhhhhhh

[Oldeconomybuyer]

"Mars in the Balance"

By: Al Gore

[Liberal Classic]

If this is true, what could be simultaneously warming both planets?

[The Great RJ]

Don't those Martians know about fluro-carbons causing a hole in their ozone layer? They better ban air conditioners and spray deoderant quick before it's too late!!!