The Mysteries of Mars

I have always been infatuated by space.  Looking into the sky, and thinking about all of the planets, stars, and asteroids surrounding Earth is mind-boggling.

Mars has always been especially interesting to me, simply because so much scientific research is constantly being conducted about it.  On any given day, I am likely to spot at least one article dedicated to the red planet.  Therefore, I have decided to start a post dedicated specifically to the Mysteries of Mars.
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Today, I found a story that is especially intriguing:  Mars Methane Mystery: What's Making the Gas? (Discovery News).  Here is my quick summary.

According to new research, there are different seasons on Mars, denoted by varying amounts of methane in the atmosphere.  This cyclical phenomenon must be of biological or geological origins.  The implications of this new information could change our perception of Mars as a dead planet.

"On Earth, colonies of bacteria that consume methane have been found living right along species that produce it."

If scientists discover a similar situation on Mars, we will have finally verified the existence of extraterrestrial life.
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10/5
Evidence suggests icebergs in frigid oceans on ancient Mars

Did receding glaciers create the famous trenches and rock deposits we see in satellite images of the surface of Mars?  Maybe.  I was surprised to learn that new research supports the existence of ancient icebergs on the now desolate planet.
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10/6
Stuck Mars Rover Gets New Mission  (Discovery News, by Irene Klotz)

I learned some awesome information about Spirit, NASA's stuck Martian rover from the above linked article.  Spirit, like it's fully operational, identical twin Opportunity, is solar powered.  It has been hibernating for the past 6.5 years, collecting sunlight, and is due to wake up soon, when the Martian spring reaches the area where it is stuck.

Which is apparently a fairly opportune place to get rover-trouble.  Unlike most of the dry, dusty terrain on the surface of our nearest planetary neighbor, this particular crater is sticky.

"The rover sits in an area called Troy on the lip of a small crater located west of Home Plate in Gusev Crater.  Crippled by two broken wheels -- it started off with six -- the rover has been unable to extricate itself from the slippery sand, which is laced with water-soluble minerals."

Scientists are interested to learn more about this "slippery sand."  Once Spirit wakes up, they will have plenty of time to do so.  They also hope to learn more about the size of Mar's core, and how dust storms in the Martian atmosphere interact with the ground.  For a waylaid rover, Spirit has a pretty busy itinerary planned!  I will keep this post updated with any discoveries it makes.  
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10/7
MAVEN mission to investigate how sun steals Martian atmosphere  (Science Daily, Oct. 5, 2010)

Scientists have long believed that the deep crevices and long, riverbed-like trenches we see on Mars once held liquid water.  Unfortunately, it has been impossible for them to prove it.  A new study being conducted by NASA may finally change that. By studying changes in the Martian atmosphere, scientists will be able to learn more about the ancient, drastic climactic changes that may have led to a waterless planet.

Though the results of this study are not due for several years, it is exciting to know how close researchers are to understanding the Martian past.  Given the state of our own environment, the impact of this knowledge may be far-reaching.
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10/29
Sleeping Mars Rover Finds Evidence of Liquid Water  (Wired Science, by Lisa Grossman, 10/28/2010)

Here is some follow-up information on Spirit, the stuck Mars rover I wrote about in this post on 10/6.  By examining the mineral content kicked up beneath the spinning wheels of the rover, scientists have determined that water may have seeped into the martian surface relatively recently.

However, due to the positioning of Spirit's solar panels during the exceedingly cold winter that is ending next month, scientists are unsure whether the rover will eve wake up again.  "Scientists are crossing their fingers, but not holding their breath."
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11/1
Journeying to Mars -- on a One-Way Ticket  (Discovery News, by Irene Klotz, 11/1/2010)

When I retire, I plan on moving to Florida.  When astronauts retire, they may have the option of moving to Mars.  To save on the astronomical cost of return travel, scientists are proposing the original colonizers of Mars be 50 to 60 year old astronauts past child bearing age, who have no desire to return to Earth.  Due to high radio activity, the life span of these early volunteers would be limited to about a decade, but they would be trailblazing the way for all future Mars inhabitants.  I would not have the guts to even get into the spaceship, but I respect this idea for it's cost-savings, and have no problem with it morally.  At some point, we need to make that next giant step in space travel, and Mars is definitely the destination of choice.