Mars Loses An Ocean But Gains The Potential For Life Research Paper Example

A recent news article authored by Bob King was released with the information that the water on mars was large enough to support life, but more importantly, the water on Mars stayed long enough to initiate the formation of life. The research was led by Geronimo Villanueva together with the researchers from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The study was performed by analyzing the atmospheric water signatures of the planet, Mars, and the observations were made using three on-Earth powerful instruments: (1) European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope located in Chile, (2) W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and the (3) NASA Infrared Telescope also in Hawaii. The study was aimed to analyze the water signatures on Mars by examining two different types of water: (1) H2O, which is what we are familiar with, and (2) HDO which is a heavier form of water consisted of an Oxygen molecule, a hydrogen molecule and a deuterium, a heavier form of hydrogen (NASA; King).
The findings clearly state that Mars had once a vast pool of water, majority of it was lost or “escape” into space. For over nearly six years, the scientists analyzed the water signatures and mapped the H2O and HDO levels. By examining the ratio of H2O and HDO on Mars and a meteorite from Mars estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old, the scientists were able to estimate the subsequent atmospheric changes as well as the amount of water that has escaped into space. One of the findings was that Mars had regional climates and subsequent seasonal changes even though most believes Mars as barren. Moreover, the findings state that the water must have covered approximately 19% of the Martian surface. This volume of water was approximated to be about 20 million cubic kilometers. Unfortunately, most of the water has escaped into space. More specifically, 87% of it has escaped into space which means that the polar ice caps, where most of today’s Mars remaining water is, is just 13% of the original ocean. Scientists also suggested that the water on Mars would have ranging depths of about 137 meters to 1.6 kilometers. Furthermore, after examining the ratio of the water signatures, the scientists determined the age of Mars when it had that much water, and the findings suggest that the Red planet was rich with water less than 1.5 billion years after its formation. These findings will be provided with additional information by the Mars Exploration Programs funded by NASA (NASA; King).
Overall, this study has provided information and major breakthroughs about the water on Mars which could provide answers regarding the highly debated life on Mars. It has supported the idea that Mars was once bountiful with water, essential in the formation of life. Moreover, it provides the answer as to when the Red planed had that much water. Thus, this study heightens the potential of life on Mars. Furthermore, the study proves the validity of the technique that was used, which is the comparison of water signatures and their ratio, in measuring the amount of water on a particular heavenly body. In addition, the same technique is now proven to discover the age of a particular body when it had the water. Since water is essential in the formation of life, it is necessary to gather such information. Therefore, this study is very important and should be supported by our organization.

References:

Brown, D., Jones, N. N. & Zubritsky, E. “NASA Research Suggests Mars Once Had More Water than Earth’s Arctic Ocean.” NASA. 5 March 2015. Web. 7 March 2015.
King, Bob. “Mars Loses an Ocean But Gains the Potential for Life.” UniverseToday, 6 March 2015. Web. 7 March 2015. <http://www.universetoday.com/119266/mars-loses-an-ocean-but-gains-the-potential-for-life/#more-119266>