Mars
What significant water ice discovery was made on Mars and why is it important for future human missions?
Researchers from the Planetary Science Institute discovered a large water ice reservoir in the Nereida Montes region of Mars. The findings reveal that one of these viscous flow features is approximately 500 meters thick and nearly 100% ice with a debris covering. This reservoir could represent one of the most significant concentrations of ice outside Mars' polar regions in the southern hemisphere. Since water is substantial and difficult to transport through space, this discovery is crucial for future human missions to Mars, potentially providing the water necessary to sustain life on the planet without having to bring it from Earth.
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WION
00:04 - 01:53
What significant discovery was made about water ice on Mars by the Planetary Science Institute?
Researchers from the Planetary Science Institute identified a large, previously unrecognized reservoir of water ice in Mars' Nereida Montes region. Radar examination revealed that one of these viscous flow features is approximately 500 meters thick and almost 100% ice with a debris covering. This discovery could represent one of the largest concentrations of water ice in any non-polar area in the southern hemisphere of Mars. These water ice deposits, detected using data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, date to within the last few million years of the planet's history and could serve as a potential water source for future astronauts.
Watch clip answer (01:15m)WION
00:27 - 01:42
Why is Nereidum Montes on Mars considered both intriguing and challenging for future exploration?
Nereidum Montes is an intriguing potential landing site on Mars due to its abundant ice deposits, which could serve as a crucial water source for future explorers. As Planetary Science Institute researcher Daniel Berman notes, this area could be utilized as a 'hotspot for water' - a vital resource for sustaining human presence on the Red Planet. Despite this compelling advantage, the region presents significant challenges for landing operations. Berman describes it as 'bumpy territory' that would 'almost certainly be extremely hard to land there.' This difficult terrain creates a paradox where one of Mars' most valuable water ice reservoirs remains tantalizingly out of reach for conventional landing technology.
Watch clip answer (00:25m)WION
01:53 - 02:19