Was The Red Planet Once A Lush 'Blue'?
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While the soil of our favorite Red Planet may now seem arid and inhospitable- one where water is scarce or non-existent, this may not have been the case, billions of years ago.
An analysis of the images of the planet's surface using a new software technology by a team of scientists from the University of Illinois, shows evidence of dozens of valleys, more than twice as many, as was thought in the past.
This according to Professor Wei Luo, indicates that there were once a number of rivers that flowed from the planet's southern mountains and amalgamated into a giant ocean on the lower, northern end of the Planet.
The discovery of the new valleys is very important, because while their existence has been known since the Mariner 9 Spacecraft photographed them in 1971, scientists have been divided as to whether they were created by erosion from surface water (indicating rivers) or through a process of erosion known as ground water sapping - caused when water emerges as springs from the ground, a phenomenon that occurs in areas that are cold and arid.
Scientists now believe that the large number of valleys is proof that many years ago, Mars may have indeed received regular rainfall, which swelled the rivers and topped the oceans, just like it happens on Earth.
Also, thanks to the clear depiction of the valleys by the new software, the team of scientists, in collaboration with NASA, has been able to draw a more comprehensive map of the Red Planet.
The map prior to this, was created in 1990, by sketching over images of the Planet and was therefore neither very accurate, nor as detailed.
The scientists also believe that the fact that the planet had water means that it may have sustained life, meaning that Martians may have actually existed! Unfortunately, the current cold and dry conditions make that next to impossible today!
sources: independent.co.uk,sciencecodex.com,dailymail.co.uk
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128 Comments
- Andrew L.over 14 yearsif there was water on earth there would be life and mabey 1 day if there is life on mars the people there will study our planet and start an expidition here
- Vanessa Lover 14 yearsI think that it would be really awesome if you got to live on Mars. Because of the erosion now there are valley's. It said in the article, Scientists now believe, that the large number of valley's is proof that many years ago, Mars may have indeed received regular rainfall, which swelled the rivers and topped the oceans, just like it did on planet Earth. I really enjoyed this article, because now i know more about Mars.
- Jack Metcalfover 14 yearsI think if there was water on Mars their might be life on mars right now.
- Jakob.Tover 14 yearsGower,I hope they found more evidence for the rivers and valleys if there is water on mars that is cool.If there is water we are not the only planet in the solar system.
- camrynsattlerover 14 yearsi think if their was water on mars their could possible be life on mars millions of years ago.
- Alexandru Grindeanuover 14 yearsI think that the fact that there is erosion on Mars means that at one time there was water, and possibly life on Mars. The article stated that regular rainfall could have once flooded the rivers and topped the with water. Posillbly, billions of years ago, oceans and forests teaming with life covered Mars.
- Rebecca L.over 14 yearsIt does seem that rivers once flowed on Mars. Therefore, it would make sense the crator were caused by erosion. That leaves me with one of two therories: either they found valleys and creaters on the planet created by erosion of surface water or it either means that Paul Bunion and his pet ox ,Blue, leaped over to Mars for a camping trip. I accept the erosion theory, but I like the Paul Bunion one more) Did the Marshins go to Earth? If the Marshins went to Earth where did the water go?
- Nikola P.over 14 yearsI think there is erosion on Mars. In the article it says that it has twice as much of valleys then in the past. It proves that there is erosion on Mars. Scientist now believe that the large number of valleys is proof that many years ago Mars received regular rainfall which swelled the rivers and topped the oceans just like Earth. I like the article "Was The Red Planet Once a Lush Blue?" because it has more information on erosion than the other article "Water On Mars."
- Jennings Chengover 14 yearsI was surprised to find out that scientists actually think that there was once Martians on Mars. Well, I definitely think there is erosion on Mars, Because of the countless valleys on Mars scientists have discovered. I also think there is erosion on Mars because of the annual rainfall the scientists have reported. The Red Planet may have been the Blue Planet after all. We just might be the next ones to face the same fate as Mars, because We're getting global warming.
- jenningsover 14 yearsI was surprised to find out that scientists actually think there were once Martians on the Red Planet. I definitely think there is erosion on Mars because of the countless valleys scientists have discovered. I also think there is erosion on mars because of the annual rainfall. If all this is true, The Red Planet may have been the Blue Planet after all.