NASA: There Is ice on Mars!

William Atkins
Monday, 23 June 2008 22:08

Science - Space

On June 20, 2008, NASA announces that water ice has been discovered near the landing site of the Phoenix Mars Lander on the planet Mars.

At a news conference on Friday, June 20th, principal investigator Peter Smith stated, “It is with great pride and a lot of joy that I announce today that we have found proof that this hard bright material is really water ice and not some other substance." [University of Arizona news release]

He added, "The truth we're looking for is not just looking at ice. It is in finding out the minerals, chemicals and hopefully the organic materials associated with these discoveries.” [University of Arizona news release]

The Phoenix Mars Lander mission is an important endeavour for NASA. The Phoenix spacecraft intends to analyze the surface and subsurface of Mars, within the local environment around the spacecraft’s landing site, to determine if microbial life might have once existed on the planet.

The finding of water ice on the planet is an important step in making this important determination. The scientists involved with the Phoenix mission are hoping to be able to discover whether organic compounds are also present on the planet.

Such materials—water and organic compounds—found on the planet would point to needed chemical building blocks and energy to produce life--in this case primitive microbial life--but, still "life."

Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Program for NASA, stated, “These latest developments are a major accomplishment and validation of the Mars Program's 'follow-the-water' exploration framework. This specific discovery is the result of an outstanding team working with a robust spacecraft that has allowed them to work ahead of their original science schedule." [University of Arizona news release]

Please read the University of Arizona news release “NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Confirms Frozen Water” for more information on this very important discovery on Mars.”

For images showing this historic discovery on the planet Mars, please turn the page.