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It is not today that we see news related to the discovery of water on Mars. In May 2016, supposed tsunami marks were found on the surface of the planet, increasing even more the expectation about this “truth” not yet resolved. But, according to new research, this may all just be a mixture of sand, shadows and optical illusion. 1k261b
A NASA announced locations that allegedly have hydrated salts and traces of dark ice, although it has not ruled out the possibility that water in its liquid state may not exist on the surface of the red planet. This, of course, is because Mars it has very low atmospheric pressure, except at lower elevations and for short periods of time.
Well, a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience suggests that the ice bands cited by NASA are just sand. led by Feredic Schmidt of Paris-South University, in , the team behind the research believes that the sand, through an effect called “thermal creep” – created by the variation of sunlight, alone –, ends up creating avalanches of sand, but presenting the same effect as the water itself.
But, after all, is there water on Mars or not? 4r1n2z
According to the researchers, this effect is created from seasonal changes – apparently, according to them, changes in seasons have a strong influence on this theory. According to Schmidt, this it has nothing to do with ice or water and we're dealing with just an illusion of optics. He still cites the example of sand dunes on a windy day, where the flows caused by sunlight and shadow end up “imitating” the effect of water.
"We We think that if [the atmosphere of Mars] is purely dry, there should be no seasonal effects, but here we suggest that there is a process strictly linked to the seasons.” — Frederic Schmidt, researcher at Paris-South University.
Here's the thing: according to Schmidt and his team, when sunlight hits the sands of Mars, the temperature of the upper layer rises and makes the one below colder. As the pressure of the atmosphere changes, the sand particles move the gas upwards. This mechanism can be quite complicated to understand, but when it collides the grains of sand with the ground, we have the illusion that “water” is running down the Martian slopes.
the future of mars 1b3j6s
If the researchers of Paris-South University are correct, it was all just a grand illusion. But, of course, their “truth” is not absolute. THE NASA the dream of making Mars habitable is getting closer.
not only the NASA interested in bringing people to Mars. O Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX (and, go, this guy needs no introduction), also has plans to bring 100 humans to the planet to try to create a first colonization. Ambitious idea indeed.
The intriguing research Schmidt and your team can be read (in English) in full in this file. Until new information is released, let's hope that the dream of "water on mars" does not remain just a dream, despite the new theories that are emerging.
With: IBTimes 3e14j
