Mars water confirmed by chem analysis

[Martin]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/science/space/01mars.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

 

there were various signs suggestive of water noticed earlier

but this is still a first in some sense

water vapor evolved from soil heated to zero Celsius

 

an earlier sample released water vapor when heated to higher temperature, indicating that, instead of simple water ice, there was

water chemically locked in the minerals

(the minerals had to be partially broken down to release the water)

 

now it is clearly demonstrated that the latest sample scoop of soil did contain simple water ice.

 

it looked like there were chunks of ice present before, but until now there was no chemical analysis to confirm it

Edited August 1, 2008 by Martin

[Klaynos]

Off topic post moved to:

 

http://www.scienceforums.net/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=34486

[Arch2008]

In addition to water, apparently there is some nasty stuff too.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080805/ap_on_sc/phoenix_mars

 

http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=perchlorate-found-on-mars-makes-soi-2008-08-04&sc=rss

[John Cuthber]

From that definition (an oxidant used in rockets), oxygen is pretty nasty stuff.

[Arch2008]

You're the expert, but some would disagree:

http://www.valleywater.org/Water/Water_Quality/Protecting_your_water/_Perchlorate_Information/_pdf/EPA_Perchlorate_Update_2002-03_New.pdf