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The MARSIS radar estimates the volume of water in the south pole of Mars
April 02, 2007By studying the South Polar region of Mars, the MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding) radar of the Mars Express space probe has enabled the structure of the layered deposits of this region to be elucidated. For the first time in the history of planetary exploration, topographic maps of the Martian sub-soil have been produced, revealing considerable volumes of ice. The LPG (Grenoble Planetary Laboratory) (CNRS - Université Grenoble 1) has been closely involved in processing and analyzing data from the Marsis radar. These results were published on the website of the journal Science on March 15, 2007.
The Marsis low frequency radar has been designed so that its signals penetrate into the Martian sub-soil. Consequently, its radar signals can reach a depth of more than 3.7 km, which has made it possible to map the boundary between the layered deposits and the floor of the basin.
In addition, the study of the Marsis radar signal has revealed that the South Polar region of Mars, which has the shape of a giant dome of around 1000 km diameter, is mainly composed of ice. Another important result: highly variable distribution and depth of the ice deposits have been observed. In particular, a series of depressions of 50 to 200 km diameters and with a depth of around 1 km compared to the average level of the subsurface (sub-soil) have been identified at high latitudes.
Thanks to the Marsis instrument, it has been possible to estimate the total volume of ice in this region at 1.6 million cubic kilometers. If this volume of ice was distributed in a uniform manner over the whole surface of the planet, Mars would be covered by 11 m of water.
CNRS
Thanks to the Marsis instrument, it has been possible to estimate the total volume of ice in this region at 1.6 million cubic kilometers. If this volume of ice was distributed in a uniform manner over the whole surface of the planet, Mars would be covered by 11 m of water.
CNRS
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Mars Current Events and Mars News RSSNew instrument has potential to detect water deep underground on Mars
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Mars #1 by Fuyumi Soryo (Author), Shirley Kubo (Author) Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches. And when the jock plants a kiss on a statue of Mars in the studio, Kira finds herself drawn in and even summons up the nerve to ask him to model for her but problems already lurk on the horizon. Vicious upperclassman Harumi has had her sights set on Rei for a long time, and is not about to let go now. One of the most popular teen girl manga series in Japan, Mars is a drama that will meet the demand of the growing female comic-reading market. |
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Costa Del Mar Fathom Sunglasses - Black Frame, Blue Mirror Glass Lenses by Costa Del Mar Engineered for the most extreme outdoor environments, Costa Del Mar sunglasses feature polarized lenses that offer 100% protection from harmful UV rays. Extremely lightweight and durable, these sunglasses combine outstanding fashion and fit with high performance Wave 400 lenses for unmatched degrees of contrast, definition, and clarity. |
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Woodstock Percussion DCB17 Mars Chime, Bronze by Woodstock Percussion, Inc. This chime is 17" in length and has 6 bronze tubes. Comes in a full-color gift box. |
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Mars LP by Mars |
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