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7 biggest mysteries of Mars (7 photos)
Ancient Chinese astronomers called the Mars & quot; Firestar & quot ;, and scientists will still be & quot; burn & quot; curiosity about some things related to the Red Planet. Even after dozens of spacecraft have been sent to Mars to study, many questions remained unanswered. Learn about the biggest mysteries of Mars, which have yet to unravel
Why is Mars two & quot; face & quot ;?
Scientists for decades have been puzzled by the difference between the two sides of Mars. The northern hemisphere of the planet - a smooth and low - this is one of the most smooth and flat beds on the planets of the solar system. Potentially, it could be formed due to the water that used to be splashed on the Martian surface. At the same time, the southern half of Mars - is uneven, and all indented crater. It is about 4-8 km higher than the northern part. Recent studies suggest that these differences between the northern and southern sides of the planet could be linked to a giant cosmic body, which could once very long time to fall on the surface of Mars.
What is the source of methane on Mars?
Methane - the simplest organic molecule - it was first discovered in the atmosphere of Mars spacecraft & quot; Mars Express & quot; The European Space Agency in 2003. On Earth, most of the methane is produced by living organisms, such as cattle digesting food. It is assumed that the methane in the Martian atmosphere is stable only 300 years, but who or what could generate the gas so long ago - remains a mystery.
Still, there are ways of methane formation and without the participation of living organisms, such as volcanic activity. The new program of the European Space Agency & quot; exomars & quot ;, which will be launched in 2016, will study the chemical composition of the Martian atmosphere, the scientists were able to learn more about the Martian methane.
Is there liquid water on Mars?
Although a large body of evidence indicates that Mars once had liquid water, whether it exists today - remains a mystery. The atmospheric pressure on Mars is very low, about 100 times less than the pressure in the world, so it is hardly liquid water can persist on the surface of the Red Planet. However, the long dark lines that we can see on the surface of Mars, hinting that the salty water flows can flow through it every spring.
Were the oceans on Mars?
A large number of Martian missions showed that Mars has many features that used to be on the surface splashing water. It is very likely that there were oceans, the network of valleys, river deltas and minerals that can form water.
However, current models of early Mars climate can not explain how a planet could exist on such a high temperature, to form liquid water as the sun warms the planet's surface is much weaker. Maybe some of the characteristics of the surface can not be formed with water, wind or other mechanisms? However, everything indicates that ancient Mars was still warm, and on its surface can be water, at least on one side thereof. However, some scientists argue that ancient Mars was cold but humid, although this theory continue to dispute.
Is there life on Mars?
The first spacecraft successfully landed on the surface of Mars - NASA's Viking 1 - first tried to uncover the mystery of whether there is life on Mars, but so far the answer has been received. Today, this issue is of concern Mars researchers worldwide. Viking failed to detect organic molecules, such as methyl chloride and dichloromethane. However, it later emerged that it was the earthly impurities that were part of the cleaning liquid in the preparation device in the world.
The surface of Mars is quite suitable for the emergence of life on it as far as we know, because there are appropriate conditions: a suitable temperature, radiation, excessive dryness and other factors. We know many examples when life appeared on Earth even more severe conditions, for example, in the far north, in the dry soils of Antarctic dry valleys and very dry Atacama Desert in Chile.
Where there is liquid water on Earth - life is everywhere, so scientists believe that if there is water on Mars, there must necessarily be a life. When scientists answer the question whether there is life on Mars, they will be able to shed light on a number of other issues that remain unanswered today, for example, may or may not be life originated elsewhere in the universe.
Life on Earth came from Mars?
Meteorites that have been discovered in Antarctica, came to this planet from Mars. They broke away from the Red Planet during its collision with other space objects. These meteorites have structures that resemble structures created terrestrial microbes. While many studies suggest that the most likely of these structures obtained by chemical means, the debate in the scientific world continues. Some researchers believe that life on Earth has been brought to Mars a long time ago, and it could move here just meteorites.
Can earthlings live on Mars?
To finally answer the question of whether or not there is life on Mars, people can fly there and find out.
Even in 1969, NASA had plans for the organization by 1981 mission to send humans to Mars to establish a permanent Martian station by 1988. However, interplanetary travel involving human subjects were not such a simple task as a scientific and technical point of view.
For example, significant difficulties were: ensuring supply of food, water, oxygen, the elimination of the harmful effects of microgravity and radiation, reduced to zero the risk of fire, and so on. But most importantly - you need to psychologically adjust to the man that he for years will be far from the Earth and from the real help. It is also hard to imagine how you can organize a touchdown, work, life on an alien planet and returned from there back to Earth.
However, the astronauts have long been dreaming of such flights. For example, volunteers have agreed to live for a year on a spaceship. It was the longest space flight simulation that was ever designed, the purpose of which was replicated in the earthly conditions, which may be a mission to Mars from the beginning to the end.
Volunteers willing to go to Mars - a great many. Perhaps, once such a flight becomes a reality
Source:
Why is Mars two & quot; face & quot ;?
Scientists for decades have been puzzled by the difference between the two sides of Mars. The northern hemisphere of the planet - a smooth and low - this is one of the most smooth and flat beds on the planets of the solar system. Potentially, it could be formed due to the water that used to be splashed on the Martian surface. At the same time, the southern half of Mars - is uneven, and all indented crater. It is about 4-8 km higher than the northern part. Recent studies suggest that these differences between the northern and southern sides of the planet could be linked to a giant cosmic body, which could once very long time to fall on the surface of Mars.
What is the source of methane on Mars?
Methane - the simplest organic molecule - it was first discovered in the atmosphere of Mars spacecraft & quot; Mars Express & quot; The European Space Agency in 2003. On Earth, most of the methane is produced by living organisms, such as cattle digesting food. It is assumed that the methane in the Martian atmosphere is stable only 300 years, but who or what could generate the gas so long ago - remains a mystery.
Still, there are ways of methane formation and without the participation of living organisms, such as volcanic activity. The new program of the European Space Agency & quot; exomars & quot ;, which will be launched in 2016, will study the chemical composition of the Martian atmosphere, the scientists were able to learn more about the Martian methane.
Is there liquid water on Mars?
Although a large body of evidence indicates that Mars once had liquid water, whether it exists today - remains a mystery. The atmospheric pressure on Mars is very low, about 100 times less than the pressure in the world, so it is hardly liquid water can persist on the surface of the Red Planet. However, the long dark lines that we can see on the surface of Mars, hinting that the salty water flows can flow through it every spring.
Were the oceans on Mars?
A large number of Martian missions showed that Mars has many features that used to be on the surface splashing water. It is very likely that there were oceans, the network of valleys, river deltas and minerals that can form water.
However, current models of early Mars climate can not explain how a planet could exist on such a high temperature, to form liquid water as the sun warms the planet's surface is much weaker. Maybe some of the characteristics of the surface can not be formed with water, wind or other mechanisms? However, everything indicates that ancient Mars was still warm, and on its surface can be water, at least on one side thereof. However, some scientists argue that ancient Mars was cold but humid, although this theory continue to dispute.
Is there life on Mars?
The first spacecraft successfully landed on the surface of Mars - NASA's Viking 1 - first tried to uncover the mystery of whether there is life on Mars, but so far the answer has been received. Today, this issue is of concern Mars researchers worldwide. Viking failed to detect organic molecules, such as methyl chloride and dichloromethane. However, it later emerged that it was the earthly impurities that were part of the cleaning liquid in the preparation device in the world.
The surface of Mars is quite suitable for the emergence of life on it as far as we know, because there are appropriate conditions: a suitable temperature, radiation, excessive dryness and other factors. We know many examples when life appeared on Earth even more severe conditions, for example, in the far north, in the dry soils of Antarctic dry valleys and very dry Atacama Desert in Chile.
Where there is liquid water on Earth - life is everywhere, so scientists believe that if there is water on Mars, there must necessarily be a life. When scientists answer the question whether there is life on Mars, they will be able to shed light on a number of other issues that remain unanswered today, for example, may or may not be life originated elsewhere in the universe.
Life on Earth came from Mars?
Meteorites that have been discovered in Antarctica, came to this planet from Mars. They broke away from the Red Planet during its collision with other space objects. These meteorites have structures that resemble structures created terrestrial microbes. While many studies suggest that the most likely of these structures obtained by chemical means, the debate in the scientific world continues. Some researchers believe that life on Earth has been brought to Mars a long time ago, and it could move here just meteorites.
Can earthlings live on Mars?
To finally answer the question of whether or not there is life on Mars, people can fly there and find out.
Even in 1969, NASA had plans for the organization by 1981 mission to send humans to Mars to establish a permanent Martian station by 1988. However, interplanetary travel involving human subjects were not such a simple task as a scientific and technical point of view.
For example, significant difficulties were: ensuring supply of food, water, oxygen, the elimination of the harmful effects of microgravity and radiation, reduced to zero the risk of fire, and so on. But most importantly - you need to psychologically adjust to the man that he for years will be far from the Earth and from the real help. It is also hard to imagine how you can organize a touchdown, work, life on an alien planet and returned from there back to Earth.
However, the astronauts have long been dreaming of such flights. For example, volunteers have agreed to live for a year on a spaceship. It was the longest space flight simulation that was ever designed, the purpose of which was replicated in the earthly conditions, which may be a mission to Mars from the beginning to the end.
Volunteers willing to go to Mars - a great many. Perhaps, once such a flight becomes a reality
Source:
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