Open AccessUse of spacecraft data to derive regions on Mars where liquid water would be stable
Author(s) -
Brad Lobitz,
B. L. Wood,
M. M. Averner,
Christopher P. McKay
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.031581098
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , martian , mars landing , liquid water , astrobiology , geology , spacecraft , martian surface , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , exploration of mars , physics , earth science , astronomy
Combining Viking pressure and temperature data with Mars Orbital Laser Altimeter topography data, we have computed the fraction of the martian year during which pressure and temperature allow for liquid water to be stable on the martian surface. We find that liquid water would be stable within the Hellas and Argyre basin and over the northern lowlands equatorward of about 40 degrees. The location with the maximum period of stable conditions for liquid water is in the southeastern portion of Utopia Planitia, where 34% of the year liquid water would be stable if it were present. Locations of stability appear to correlate with the distribution of valley networks.