SCI/TECH: Spirit has uncovered a "mucky" substance below the surface of Mars

From Space.com
"Liquid water is generally acknowledged to be necessary for the presence of life on Mars," Levin said, hence the importance of addressing the issue that the so-called Magic Carpet has raised on Mars, he said."
www.space.com

It seems that spirit has uncovered a "mucky" element below the surface of Mars. but.. , the astronomers are not assured yet, some believe that this "muck" may in-fact be mud, and contain water. If it is mud, and does contain water, then the ability for humans to spend long periods of time on Mars would be enhanced greatly, as a replenish-able source of water would exist.





[Edited on 18-1-2004 by SkepticOverlord]

it seems that spirit has uncovered a "mucky" element below the surface of Mars. but.. , the astronomers are not assured yet, some believe that this "muck" may in-fact be mud, and contain water. If it is mud, and does contain water, then the ability for humans to spend long periods of time on Mars would be enhanced greatly, as a replenish-able source of water would exist.


Water means something far more important. It can be separated into OXYGEN and hydrogen through electrolysis. Simple solar cells connected in series can power a motionless device that extracts the needed oxygen. Excess hydrogen and oxygen can be stored and used for generating electricy essentially using the system as a chemical battery.



[Edited on 18-1-2004 by ArchAngel]

In order to perform the proccess of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen takes electricity and power....thats why we dont do it here on earth as a power source....

I posted an article earlier that Spirit may have detected minerals that are especially formed in water. This may be something interesting, espesically with that bit of news and that pic that showed the werid trails.

Originally posted by LuDaCrIs
In order to perform the proccess of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen takes electricity and power....thats why we dont do it here on earth as a power source....

because it will cost a lot of energy to split watet and so the best way is a steady power source which is free availeble. Solar power is one of the best but cause of day and night sun is not always shining on earth and on the moon it does so they can do it on the moon instead an send it to earth using beams.

They're actually testing a new form of hydrogen/oxygen break-up, and it isn't even close to electrolysis. It's possible to do with almost no energy, and they think it'll be the way Fuel-Cell technology comes in, because we won't need huge electrolysis plants that produce the hydrogen now. Damn me, I'm always strapped for links, but I'm sure on this one..

How does sand look when you mix it with water? Similiar to what it looks like in the picture