![]() |
|
|
|
Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
|
But but but, the 5 second sound bite said they found WATER on Mars.
it must be true, the media wouldn't tell us something that isn't true..... It's got to be real water and not a poisonous chemical called perchlorate, which is mainly used in .... drum roll ...... rocket fuel! |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
Quote:
![]() The Martian fireworks will be spectacular. PYROTECHNIC FORMULAS: ROCKET PROPELLANTS Pyrotechnic Formulas: Rocket Propellants - CannonFuse.com Quote:
Quote:
A decision made under the Bush Administration, in 2008, held that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should not regulate levels of perchlorate in drinking water. The substance, which is heavily used in rocket fuel, will now make the object of such regulations, EPA decided. http://news.softpedia.com/news/EPA-Will-Regulate-Perchlorate-Levels-in-Drinking-Water-182511.shtml ![]() Quote:
__________________
1977 911S Targa 2.7L (CIS) Silver/Black 2012 Infiniti G37X Coupe (AWD) 3.7L Black on Black 1989 modified Scat II HP Hovercraft George, Architect Last edited by kach22i; 09-29-2015 at 10:00 AM.. |
||||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Morrison, Colorado
Posts: 634
|
Yes there is Water on Mars
Proof of water on Mars is not news. In 2008 Phoenix lander landed on a dust covered glacier near the north arctic circle. The attached photo shows the solid ice that was exposed by the descent engine thrust at touchdown. We landed on a field of solid ice about 4cm below the surface.
After a couple months on the surface, we noticed what appeared to be droplets of condensate accumulating on the lander leg struts. Best guess was humidity levels under the lander were high enough to enable water droplet formation. Daytime temperature data confirmed temps that could support water droplet formation within 50 cm on the surface. Unfortunately, the robotic arm did not carry spectroscopy instrumentation to analyze emission spectra. So liquid water droplets on Mars surface was an un-confirmable theory. The Phoenix instruments did find perchlorates in the Mars regolith (soil). There are regions on earth (dry high altitude deserts of South America) where bacteria feed on perchlorates. So, presence of perchlorates in proximity to water has the astrobiology community excited. Perchlorates are very strong oxidizers that breakdown organic compounds, so complex organics in the presence of perchlorates is not likely. Fast forward to yesterday's announcement by NASA. We already have evidence (although not proof) that humidity levels on Mars can enable seasonal water condensation. If you envision a "salt cocktail" the freezing point can be lowered up to 80 K. Yesterday's announcement is a confirmation of seasonal salt hydration in the equatorial region. It's possible those hydrated salts obtained their moisture from atmospheric condensation and/or subsurface sources. However, it's not clear that yesterday's announcement shows proof of liquid salt water flows. Still, I think this is great science. ![]()
__________________
96 993 Cab, 73E Targa, 72S Targa |
||
![]() |
|
Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,522
|
water ice or frozen CO2?
__________________
Jim R. |
||
![]() |
|
Information Overloader
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NW Lower Michigan
Posts: 29,441
|
As blasphemous as it may be to some, I think the question of whether there's water on Mars is about as relevant to my life as the question about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
NASA is clearly making a bid for more money. Money that does not exist. And even if it did, I think it should be spent on getting rid of the damn moles in my back yard. |
||
![]() |
|
Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,522
|
I can't imagine it being blasphemous to anyone. What's relevant to your life may not be their concern.
__________________
Jim R. |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Registered
|
Quote:
__________________
Brent The X15 was the only aircraft I flew where I was glad the engine quit. - Milt Thompson. "Don't get so caught up in your right to dissent that you forget your obligation to contribute." Mrs. James to her son Chappie. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Morrison, Colorado
Posts: 634
|
water ice or frozen CO2?
Jim, Water ice, H2O, confirmed by thermal evolved gas analysis
__________________
96 993 Cab, 73E Targa, 72S Targa |
||
![]() |
|
Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,522
|
Or, to make the task easier, or even possible, just let the moles stay in Crowbob's back yard and send him to Mars.
![]()
__________________
Jim R. |
||
![]() |
|
Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,522
|
Thanks for the info!
__________________
Jim R. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Morrison, Colorado
Posts: 634
|
Quote:
However, it does have relevance to questions facing Earth, excites and inspires many people and helps encourage the youth of America to pursue STEM based careers, which is vital to the US maintaining a technical innovation edge in the world. Not everyone gets stoked about the same things, that's what makes the world an interesting place.
__________________
96 993 Cab, 73E Targa, 72S Targa |
||
![]() |
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
Oh come on Sammy... I suppose you would have us spend our money on food or medical research and frivolous stuff like that?
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone ![]() 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold ![]() I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
![]() |
|
Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
|
Quote:
The national debt clock is now at $18,405,385,800,000 That means we have already spent $18 trillion MORE than we have. I suggest we STOP spending money we don't have to check out a rock that is 224.3 million miles away, just to satisfy someone's boredom and curiosity. Every year they blow $18.5 billion (again, money WE DO NOT HAVE) and in return we get some pictures and wild guesses and estimates. They don't even have anything to send into space. What a ****ing scam. Here's my suggestion: make NASA funding voluntary. On the tax form, leave a blank space for people to write in how much OF THEIR OWN MONEY they want to give to NASA. Above and beyond taxes owed. Let's see how generous and curious they are when they have to foot the bill. Last edited by sammyg2; 09-29-2015 at 01:35 PM.. |
||
![]() |
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
![]()
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone ![]() 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold ![]() I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Morrison, Colorado
Posts: 634
|
Quote:
Just to give some perspective to your concerns about the national debt. The annual NASA budget is about 0.5% of the US Federal budget. Projections for FY16 are the Mars Exploration Program will be less than 1/36 of NASA's budget. So, cancelling all Mars expenditures will cut ~ 0.014% of the US budget. Yup, That will sure move the needle on the national debt.
__________________
96 993 Cab, 73E Targa, 72S Targa |
||
![]() |
|
?
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 30,538
|
Quote:
![]() |
||
![]() |
|
Information Overloader
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NW Lower Michigan
Posts: 29,441
|
Quote:
Problem is, you assume I'm not already there! What NASA needs to do is wait until a popular sort of geeky-technical movie comes out about the exploration of Mars with all the requisite drama, cinematography and star power. THEN announce they've discovered via incontrovertible evidence that there's flowing water! |
||
![]() |
|
Almost Banned Once
|
Quote:
![]()
__________________
- Peter |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
Water who cares about water. Does it have internet service!!!
__________________
1986 Porsche 911 Targa 1983 911 sc 2015 WRX |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Morrison, Colorado
Posts: 634
|
Quote:
So it's kind of like having Jones Intercable in the 90's or trying to get competent customer service from Comcast today.
__________________
96 993 Cab, 73E Targa, 72S Targa |
||
![]() |
|