Polar caps
Publikation: Bidrag til bog/antologi/rapport › Bidrag til bog/antologi › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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Polar caps. / Hvidberg, Christine S.
Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics. Springer Verlag, 2005. s. 129-153 (Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics, Bind 4).Publikation: Bidrag til bog/antologi/rapport › Bidrag til bog/antologi › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - CHAP
T1 - Polar caps
AU - Hvidberg, Christine S.
PY - 2005/1/1
Y1 - 2005/1/1
N2 - The permanent polar caps of Mars constitute the largest known reservoirs of H 2 O on the planet. The permanent caps are distinguished from the seasonal snow covers that have been known for centuries. The seasonal snow consists of CO 2 that condenses out of the atmosphere in the winter hemisphere [8]. During summer, the seasonal snow cover gradually evaporates, and the permanent cap is exposed. The permanent polar caps are recognisable as topographic domes rising about 3 km above the surrounding terrain. They have an extent of around 1000 km in the north and 400-800 km in the south. They consist of layers of H 2 O, dust and CO 2 that have been deposited through millions of years. Bright white areas indicate a currently active interaction with the Martian climate system. Dark areas reveal an extensive layering thought to preserve a record of climate changes on Mars. The caps may contain preserved samples of biological origin, and geological indications of meltwater may be a clue to subsurface environments where life might exist. The polar regions are thus particularly interesting in relation to the search for life on Mars.
AB - The permanent polar caps of Mars constitute the largest known reservoirs of H 2 O on the planet. The permanent caps are distinguished from the seasonal snow covers that have been known for centuries. The seasonal snow consists of CO 2 that condenses out of the atmosphere in the winter hemisphere [8]. During summer, the seasonal snow cover gradually evaporates, and the permanent cap is exposed. The permanent polar caps are recognisable as topographic domes rising about 3 km above the surrounding terrain. They have an extent of around 1000 km in the north and 400-800 km in the south. They consist of layers of H 2 O, dust and CO 2 that have been deposited through millions of years. Bright white areas indicate a currently active interaction with the Martian climate system. Dark areas reveal an extensive layering thought to preserve a record of climate changes on Mars. The caps may contain preserved samples of biological origin, and geological indications of meltwater may be a clue to subsurface environments where life might exist. The polar regions are thus particularly interesting in relation to the search for life on Mars.
KW - Basal melting
KW - Mars orbiter laser altimeter
KW - Seasonal snow cover
KW - Sublimation rate
KW - Thermal emission spectrometer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066052718&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/978-3-540-31538-4_6
DO - 10.1007/978-3-540-31538-4_6
M3 - Book chapter
AN - SCOPUS:85066052718
T3 - Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics
SP - 129
EP - 153
BT - Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics
PB - Springer Verlag
ER -
ID: 230423103