Water on Mars

1

• Water on Mars

Dirty Ice or Icy Dirt?
2
Hydrogen Gamma Ray Map
3
Definitions of Soil Moisture Saturation
UNDER-SATURATED Not enough water to fill all of t
he pore space of a given soil SATURATED Just t
he right amount of water to fill all of the pore
space of a given soil OVER-SATURATED More wate
r than can fit in the pore space of a given soil
4
Hydrogen Gamma Ray Map
Saturated?
Saturated?
5
North Arctic of Mars
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Experiment Objectives
Design your own experiment!
What is the maximum water weight that typical
dirt on Earth can hold?
7
Water Estimates on Earth
Guess the water weight for each of the surface
layers below.
0
Mellon, et al., 2004, Icarus 169, p 337.
Saturated Permafrost Layer
Over-saturated Ice Sheet
Under-saturated Dry Layer
8
Water Estimates on Earth
Approximate water weight for each of the
surface layers below.
0
0-1
1030
100
Saturated Permafrost Layer
Over-saturated Ice Sheet
Under-saturated Dry Layer
9
Water Estimates on Mars
B
A
Frost-free Map of Water at Near Surface of Mars
10
Visible Image of Mars
B
B
A
A
11
Dirty Ice Cones

• Recipe
• Shaved ice
• Crushed graham crackers or cookies
• Syrup (optional)

12

• Water on Mars

Dirty Ice or Icy Dirt?