Liquid water reservoir reported under Mars polar cap

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the discovery of a liquid water reservoir beneath Mars' polar cap, based on 29 radar profiles collected from May 2012 to December 2015. The identified region spans approximately 20 kilometers and suggests the presence of water or water-laden sediments. Notably, geophysicist Kathryn Sturman indicated that the radar data from SHARAD, which operates at higher frequencies, did not detect water in the same area, raising questions about the nature of the detected materials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radar profiling techniques used in planetary exploration
  • Familiarity with SHARAD (Shallow Radar) technology and its applications
  • Knowledge of geophysical properties of water-laden sediments
  • Basic concepts of mineral hydration and its implications in planetary geology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of radar profiling in planetary science
  • Explore the capabilities and limitations of SHARAD technology
  • Investigate the geophysical characteristics of water-laden sediments on Mars
  • Study the implications of liquid water reservoirs for astrobiology and Martian geology
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, planetary geologists, and researchers interested in Martian exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life will benefit from this discussion.

Fewmet
Messages
405
Reaction score
37
The analysis is based on 29 radar profiles collected between May 2012 and December 2015. The identified region is about 20-km wide. The report acknowledges the results are consistent with with water or water-laden sediments. A brief discussion on the BBC (with no citations) asserted that temperatures are such that there must be substantial dissolved material to depress the freezing point that much.

Abstract
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Would concrete reflect as a "water-laden" material? Same question for lumber and clay?
 
stefan r said:
Would concrete reflect as a "water-laden" material? Same question for lumber and clay?
I do not know the details of what would reflect radar of the wavelengths they used, but to me "water-laden sediments" carries a connotation of much more water than hydrated minerals. I heard Kathryn Sturman (geophysicist with the University of Texas) on http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1285450307799 (starting at 11:49) say it might be more like an aquifer.

Sturman mentioned (and the Physics World summary) notes that the SHARAD data of the same region (which was higher frequency radar and would have penetrated as deep) failed to show water.
 

Similar threads

NASA NASA to Announce Mars Mystery Liquid water today
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
12K