The crater is 35 kilometres wide and has a maximum depth of approximately 2 kilometres beneath the crater rim. The circular patch of bright material located at the centre of the crater is residual water ice. This white patch is present all year round, as the temperature and pressure conditions do not favour the sublimation of water ice.
It cannot be frozen carbon dioxide since carbon dioxide ice had already disappeared from the north polar cap at the time the image was taken (late summer in the Martian northern hemisphere).
Water ice is frozen water molecules that form solid crystals at low temperatures. It is significant on Mars because it is a crucial resource for potential human exploration and colonization efforts. Water can be used for drinking, growing crops, and producing rocket fuel.
The water ice in the crater at the Martian north pole was discovered through remote sensing techniques, specifically through the use of a radar instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This instrument was able to detect the presence of water ice below the surface of the crater.
The estimated amount of water ice in the crater at the Martian north pole is believed to be around 1.8 trillion cubic feet, which is equivalent to about 20 billion gallons of water. This is a significant amount and could potentially sustain human presence on Mars for a long period of time.
While the water ice at the Martian north pole is present, it may not be easily accessible for human use. It is located at the bottom of a large crater and would require drilling and processing to extract the water. However, this discovery is a promising sign for future exploration and potential utilization of this resource.
Yes, the water ice in the crater at the Martian north pole can provide valuable information about the past climate of Mars. The layers of ice can act as a record of past climate conditions, similar to how tree rings on Earth can provide information about past weather patterns. Studying this ice can help us better understand the history of the Martian climate and any potential shifts or changes over time.