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Sunning Frozen Soil
Summary (Jul 21, 2006): The answer to the question about life on Mars may very well come from analyzing an unsuspecting source - the soil, specifically the icy layer of soil underneath the red planet's surface. By analyzing the properties of Mars frozen layer of soil during NASA s next lander mission, scientists will be able to better understand and theorize about life on Mars. Display Options:                |
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| Phoenix lander Credit: Decagon Devices, Inc. |
The answer to the question about life on Mars may very well come from analyzing an unsuspecting source - the soil, specifically the icy layer of soil underneath the red planet's surface. By analyzing the properties of Mars frozen layer of soil during NASA s next lander mission, scientists will be able to better understand and theorize about life on Mars.
A synopsis of the project was presented by Douglas R. Cobos on Monday, July 10, 2006, during the 18th World Congress of Soil Science in Philadelphia.
By exposing this frozen soil layer to the sun, researchers are hoping to measure the properties of the liquid water before it turns to a vapor. According to Cobos, the discovery of this liquid water would be a big finding and best case scenario for the Martian research community. This liquid water the pre-cursor for life says Cobos could even point to life in a dormant state on Mars.
Cobos is a research scientist and engineer at Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA. NASA is working with Decagon, a soil science equipment manufacturer, on designing a probe to take soil and atmospheric measurements during the Phoenix 2007 Scout Mission. Galon Campbell, founder of the company and a soil scientist, designed the probe and, together with Cobos and Colin Campbell, is a co-author of the paper presented during the international World Congress of Soil Science.
Cobos said the physics on Mars is such that ice tends to go directly from the solid form into a vapor.
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| An artist rendition of Phoenix's robotic arm delivering a sample to the science instruments. Image Credit: NASA / UA / JPL. |
If we can measure this liquid water using our specialized sensor mounted on the robotic arm of the lander, we ll be able to turn over the data to the planetary scientists to analyze the climate and conditions on Mars, says Cobos. These scientists will use the data to determine if life ever arose on Mars or if it could sustain life in the future.
We re waiting to see what s up there. The best-case scenario would be to dig, probe around and finally have conclusive proof that there can be liquid water on Mars, he says. It s pretty exciting to actually have our sensor bolted to the arm of the lander.
Cobos, who has been working on the lander s sensor for two years, just returned from the Jet Propulsion Lab where they mounted the sensor to the arm of the lander and calibrated it. The Phoenix Lander is planned to take off in late 2007 and arrive on Mars to begin its discoveries in early 2008.
Related Web Pages
Piecing Phoenix TogetherLooking for Martian Life
PITting Phoenix
Walking Naked on the Red Planet
Roving the Red Planet
Living on Mars
MRO Hits Its Mark
Note: Mars Life
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Friday, July 21, 2006
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