Ice

Ice

Did you know that there's so much ice on Mars? If you were to have looked at Mars 3.5 billion years ago, you might have seen a wet planet. A blue planet. A vast ocean covered a third of Mars; mighty rivers drained the highlands, flowing into complex and voluminous deltas; lakes and seas dotted the surface. But over time, Mars lost its atmosphere and the water evaporated into space. Today, all that remains is frozen water in the form of ice.

Scientists have discovered ice on Mars in various forms. There are polar ice caps made up of a combination of water ice and carbon dioxide ice. These ice caps shrink and grow with the changing seasons, just like Earth's polar ice caps. Additionally, there are underground ice deposits, hidden beneath the surface. These deposits could potentially be a valuable resource for future human exploration and colonization of Mars.

Studying the ice on Mars is crucial for understanding the planet's history and potential for supporting life. Water is a fundamental ingredient for life as we know it, and the presence of ice hints at the possibility of past or even present microbial life on Mars. By analyzing the composition of the ice and studying its properties, scientists can gather valuable insights into the planet's climate, geology, and potential habitability.