Could Salt Melt Martian Ice Into Water
- 10 years ago
Those who believe there’s water flowing on Mars got a big dose of validation following an experiment in which the Red Planet’s salt was used to melt ice.
Those who believe there’s water flowing on Mars got a big dose of validation following an experiment in which a type of salt found in arid places on Earth as well as on the Red Planet was used to melt ice.
At times temperatures on Mars can reach as low as minus 185 degrees Fahrenheit, making the presence of liquids seem unlikely.
What isn’t often explored, however, is if and how melting could occur if frozen matter comes into contact with a substance that can unfreeze it – like salt.
By mimicking the Martian environment and using a salt called calcium perchlorate, scientists at the University of Michigan were able to make the seemingly impossible happen.
It also could explain how the water droplets seen on the legs of NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander that touched down in 2008, came into being.
One of the scientists believes that when the lander touched ground, it disturbed the soil and kicked up salt, rendering the frozen matter on it liquid.
Those who believe there’s water flowing on Mars got a big dose of validation following an experiment in which a type of salt found in arid places on Earth as well as on the Red Planet was used to melt ice.
At times temperatures on Mars can reach as low as minus 185 degrees Fahrenheit, making the presence of liquids seem unlikely.
What isn’t often explored, however, is if and how melting could occur if frozen matter comes into contact with a substance that can unfreeze it – like salt.
By mimicking the Martian environment and using a salt called calcium perchlorate, scientists at the University of Michigan were able to make the seemingly impossible happen.
It also could explain how the water droplets seen on the legs of NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander that touched down in 2008, came into being.
One of the scientists believes that when the lander touched ground, it disturbed the soil and kicked up salt, rendering the frozen matter on it liquid.