Comments on: Water on Mars–Today

By: J. Alec West

J. Alec West — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:09:00 +0000

There are also other interesting theories that need to be explored. I think most astronomers agree that, at one time, the atmosphere of Mars was more dense … that in the past, life on the Martian surface was more possible than it is now. However, if an intelligent civilization found it increasingly difficult to live on the Martian surface, it’s entirely possible that such a civilization relocated itself underground. Water is the issue. And if this visible water came from aquifers (underground sources), it makes it even more possible that life could exist beneath the surface.
We could send surface probes to Mars until NASA is blue in the face. But it might be akin to an alien civilization sending a probe to Earth that lands in the middle of the Sahara Desert … and then throwing up their hands and saying, “Well, I guess there’s no life on Earth.” It might be time to transcend the idea of “Mars rovers” and think about sending up “Mars diggers.” Who knows what these “diggers” might find.

By: Chicago Astronomer Joe

Chicago Astronomer Joe — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:40:15 +0000

There has been compelling evidence of liquid water on Mars for many years now – flowing down crater walls and hills…some even pooling, from the raw MALIN/NASA images. They have also shown some sort of “trees” as well. Simliar to our own banyan trees in the deserts of Earth. Sir Arthur C. Clarke has even commented on them.
How aggravating it is to encounter individuals who still maintain a hard grasp on old and antiquainted teachings about Mars…being a cold, dry and dead world. News like this shakes them up and makes them re-evaluate. Not a comfortable place to be. I guess until they can take a cool refreshing Martian drink, they will always be skeptical. Too bad.
I’m glad that NASA has finally announced the news of flowing water on Mars, and it’s just a matter of time – of evidence from biological fingerprints. There is already an increase in methane in the atmosphere…could it be Martian critters?
Just a matter of time.
Respectfully,
Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
http://www.chicagoastronomer.com
Telescope/Observatory Operator
Adler Planetarium

By: sahira

sahira — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:36:34 +0000

great this is’nt true is it tell me itsnot beacause were the only special planet

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:47:34 +0000

Might it not also be fine-grained dust drifting in the windstorms, then “flowing” when the wind stops? Do they really know it’s water of some kind?

By: Tim D.

Tim D. — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:15:19 +0000

You can also see a series of coencentric rings around the origin of the “seep”, suggesting that the ground may have been swelling in the first picture and burst in the second picture.
Neat!

By: chuck

chuck — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:17:33 +0000

Absolutely fascinating! Here’s hoping that Mars isn’t subject to climate change, at least until we can verify what we suspect!