NASA Mars press conference.

[Pi R Squared]

Well as discussed earlier in another thread that is now closed, we talked about the NASA press conference about Mars that would take place this morning and I said I would report back on it to tell you what it was about.

So I watched the NASA press conference and here is what it was about. It was interesting but nothing spectacular. For the last 4 years they have been taking photos of hills, mountains, and craters in many places on Mars with dark streaks running downhill that are only there a short time out of the year in spring or summer and then they disappear again.

It turns out that there is a lot more water in the soil and more humidity in the air than they ever expected, Mars also once had a large ocean covering 2/3rds of its northern hemisphere, it turns out that there is liquid saltwater that flows on the surface in places for a short time out of the year when it's warm enough. Of course this could also increase the chances that there is microbial life on Mars. That's about all there was to it.

Alan

 

[GSS]

I just PM Alasken about the press conference as I couldnt find the thread knor the coverage on TV. I had a feeling it was you or him that posted it. I think its alot more than what we thought, but Pi you.ve obviously have followed this alot. Thx for the update:beer:

 

[Elektrotechniker]

Is there a chance that they will discover new elements other than the ones in the periodic table?

 

[Mattronium]

Is there a chance that they will discover new elements other than the ones in the periodic table?

How and why would there be any elements on mars that aren't on earth.
All undiscovered elements would have to be very large and likely radioactively decay quickly. I guess there could be unknown chemicals/molecules, but I would doubt that. Of course I could be wrong though.

 

[ped]

How and why would there be any elements on mars that aren't on earth.

Because it's a different planet??

Sure it's probably built of the same materials..but who knows whats happened to that planet in the past? , meteor impacts ect carrying interstellar matter for example.

So, why wouldn't there be new / different elements?

 

[Mattronium]

Because it's a different planet??

Sure it's probably built of the same materials..but who knows whats happened to that planet in the past? , meteor impacts ect carrying interstellar matter for example.

So, why wouldn't there be new / different elements?

We're talking about the same elements, like hydrogen, helium, lithium... etc. Right? Because if there was a new element it would have to have an atomic number higher than 118 (or whatever the heaviest "observed" element is). And then it would either have to be a stable element, a radioactive element with a long half-life or be constantly created. Unless you mean a new isotope?:can:

Edit: Unless you mean dark matter?

 

[ped]

You're talking about all the stuff we know .


There is always the possibility of the unknown isn't there? .

 

[Mattronium]

You're talking about all the stuff we know .


There is always the possibility of the unknown isn't there? .

You're right that there is a possibility that there is some particle/element that we don't know. And don't take this as an argument or anything like that. I'm just thinking it though.:beer: But I'd like an answer to this: What difference is there between earth and mars that would make us find it there and not here? This is what I figure: temperature, composition, less atmosphere, a little less gravity, more meteoroid impacts? But I can't think of anyway that any of those factors would be significant enough to do it.

I'd think IMO that it's likely that they might find a new molecule, after all they already found a unique one in meteorites.

I guess time will tell.

 

[APEX1]

Its already been talked about by Lawrence Krauss and many others. Its almost guaranteed to find new elements on mars and a few others!!

 

[Dr_Evil]

Maybe something that will give us a SM color tunable laser out of a single diode at 1 cent per mW.

 

[VisibleGreen]

New particles and compounds would be a dream to have the chance to study. Thanks for the update too Pi. I figured it had to do with water

 

[APEX1]

also confirmed sault caps which can only occur with flowing water

 

[Pi R Squared]

Maybe someday a colony will be able to drill a well to get their water, that would make colonizing Mars much easier.

Alan

 

[Benm]

Wonder what EMS would charge for shipping a desalination plant and nuclear power station to run that to mars... and lets hope they don't require a recipient signature

 

[Pi R Squared]

Wonder what EMS would charge for shipping a desalination plant and nuclear power station to run that to mars... and lets hope they don't require a recipient signature

It's a good possibility the ground water is fresh water that is combining with salt on and near the surface. In any case a colony would still need some sort of water purification facility, and they would probably want to use some for growing plants, no doubt they would probably recycle some of their water like they do on the ISS. On the ISS if I remember right, 40% of the water they use is recycled.

Alan

 

[Laser Chick]

It is a shame that the atmosphere on Mars allows water to escape at such a fast rate because otherwise there would most probably be some type(s) of life on Mars.
As far as elements go, maybe there are no new ones on Mars but throughout the universe there are probably many new elements that humans are not aware of.