Mars, the golden water
2007/01/21 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia
The Mars Oddisey probe found hydrogen atoms that were interpreted at NASA as part of the water. (Photo: ANDA-JPL
On this occasion, the proof of the presence of water on Mars is based on two remains that have been observed at two points on the surface of Mars. The photographs of these two sites were taken in 1999 and 2001 and were repeated in 2004 and 2005. In the last two photographs, there is a detachment of sand in places where it did not exist, four years earlier, and NASA astronomers have concluded that these landslides have been caused by a water leak.
That is, they have found water without finding water.
Not the first time
On many other occasions the news of water has spread. In these cases they have not found water either, they have found geological and chemical remains. They talk about water, but without finding water.
In recent years they have been based on three discoveries to say that there is water on Mars. On the one hand, in 2001, the Mars Oddisey probe detected hydrogen atoms at the south pole of Mars. They are not independent hydrogen atoms, but are part of molecules. But what molecules? According to NASA, the water molecule was the main candidate. “As there is hydrogen,” they said, “water must be present.”
On the other hand, carbonates were found. Carbonates are not formed if not by water action, so the mere presence of carbonates indicated the presence of water on Mars. But the amount of carbonates was less than they initially thought, and Opportunity found only sulphates on the surface of the planet. It was then explained that sulfates prevent the formation of carbonates. “The presence of sulphates and carbonates has made water on Mars at some point.”
Finally, more clues have been found in the photos: On the Martian surface there have been numerous geological phenomena caused by the dry and liquid basin of the streams, among which are the current sand landslides. And what is the liquid that has produced it? NASA believes it should be water.
I'm sure nothing
Not all astronomers agree, this liquid can also be carbon dioxide or have fallen sand on the slope. But optionally it prefers to have water, because in addition to being a good scientific option, it offers something else: advertising. Where there is water you can create life. Yes, if the water is in a liquid state.
Vehicles like Rover have searched for water from Mars. (Photo: DAP)
But they have not found liquid water. And you will hardly find it for two reasons: on the one hand, because Mars is far from the Sun and on the other, because it is small. Far away, the night of Mars has a very low temperature, capable of completely freezing liquid water. Due to its small size, its gravity is low and does not maintain numerous gas molecules in its environment, that is, its atmosphere is very thin, so its atmospheric pressure is very low. If the atmosphere does not exert pressure, water evaporates at the clear day temperature of Mars. Therefore they have not found liquid water, but if there is water it is in solid or gaseous state, not in liquid state.
Perhaps it has not always been so. However, NASA and ESA have not found water on Mars, but an excuse to talk about water. Meanwhile, advertising gives them money.
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