Is There Ice on Mars? New Evidence from Fresh Meteorite Craters

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SUMMARY

Recent observations of fresh meteorite craters on Mars reveal the presence of white material at depths of 1 to 3 meters, which is almost certainly ice. This conclusion is supported by spectrograph readings confirming the material as H2O. The ice is exposed by meteorite impacts and evaporates within weeks, indicating dynamic surface processes. These findings align with ongoing explorations of extraterrestrial water sources, following similar discoveries on the Moon.

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  • Understanding of planetary geology
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http://scienceblogs.com/catdynamics/2009/09/water_water_everywhere.php

Nasa press release from 24 September.
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/newsroom/pressreleases/20090924a.html

Photos of fresh meteorite craters show white at estimated depths of 1 - 3 meters.
The white material goes away within a few weeks.

It is almost certainly ice, which the small meteorite impact exposes, and which then evaporates in the course of time.

Spectrograph reading confirmed it's H2O.
 
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First the moon and now mars

things are looking good for space programs.
 
Monocerotis said:
First the moon and now mars

things are looking good for space programs.

I don't see why it's such a shocker that there's ice other places in the universe than our planet... I'm sure there is PLENTY of ice all over the universe. If there was no H2O in any other areas of the universe other than Earth THEN i would be shocked.