The Phoenix mission investigated patterned ground and climate in the northern arctic region of Mars for 5 months starting May 25, 2008. A shallow ice table was uncovered by the robotic arm in a nearby polygon's edge and center at depths of 5-15 cm. In late summer snowfall and frost blanket the surface at night; water ice and vapor constantly interact with the soil. Analysis reveals an alkaline Ph with CaCO3, aqueous minerals, and salts making up several wt% of the soil; liquid water is implicated as having been important in creating these components. In combination with the oxidant perchlorate (~1 wt%), an energy source for terrestrial microbes, and a prior epoch of higher temperatures and humidity, this region may have been a habitable zone.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/194791 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Smith, Peter Hollingsworth |
| Contributors | Wyant, James C., Drake, Michael J., Wyant, James C., Drake, Michael J., Boynton, William, McEwen, Alfred, Hartmann, William K. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Electronic Dissertation |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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