uforn
Administrator
Investigator In Training
In Search For The Truth
Posts: 5,400
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Post by uforn on Jul 19, 2012 14:33:35 GMT 1
A Hole In Mars Image Credit: NASA, JPL, U. Arizona Explanation: What created this unusual hole in Mars? The hole was discovered by chance on images of the dusty slopes of Mars' Pavonis Mons volcano taken by the HiRISE instrument aboard the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling Mars. The hole appears to be an opening to an underground cavern, partly illuminated on the image right. Analysis of this and follow-up images revealed the opening to be about 35 meters across, while the interior shadow angle indicates that the underlying cavern is roughly 20 meters deep. Why there is a circular crater surrounding this hole remains a topic of speculation, as is the full extent of the underlying cavern. Holes such as this are of particular interest because their interior caves are relatively protected from the harsh surface of Mars, making them relatively good candidates to contain Martian life. These pits are therefore prime targets for possible future spacecraft, robots, and even human interplanetary explorers. Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120718.html
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uforn
Administrator
Investigator In Training
In Search For The Truth
Posts: 5,400
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Post by uforn on Jul 19, 2012 14:35:36 GMT 1
I believe we might just find microbial life in a cavern or cave on Mars, NASA needs to hurry up and get a good mission sorted out to find out.
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belle
Junior Researcher
Posts: 32
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Post by belle on Jul 30, 2012 21:46:59 GMT 1
A Hole In Mars Explanation: What created this unusual hole in Mars? The hole was discovered by chance on images of the dusty slopes of Mars' Pavonis Mons volcano taken by the HiRISE instrument aboard the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling Mars. What makes it unusual? A volcano, hole, crater. When volcanoes erupt don't they normally leave a hole with a cavern inside? Of course I agree with uforn that there's got to be some type of microbial life in there.
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Post by ronologic on Jul 31, 2012 16:44:25 GMT 1
A Hole In Mars Explanation: What created this unusual hole in Mars? The hole was discovered by chance on images of the dusty slopes of Mars' Pavonis Mons volcano taken by the HiRISE instrument aboard the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling Mars. What makes it unusual? A volcano, hole, crater. When volcanoes erupt don't they normally leave a hole with a cavern inside? Of course I agree with uforn that there's got to be some type of microbial life in there.The feature or "Hole" is termed a "cauldera". Not uncommon. I agree that such a feature would be a good place to find microbial life as the hole would provide some protection from radiation and possibly trap water.
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