The article called “Minerals in Mars Point to More Recent Presence of Water” is about how scientists are now seeing global mineralogical signs that the planet was wet for the first two billion years of its existence. An article in the November issue of the journal Geology, says that scientists working with data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter report that they have spotted widespread deposits of opals and related minerals on the surface of Mars. Opals belong to a class of minerals known as hydrated silicas. The formation of hydrated silicas requires water. The opal deposits lie in areas that appear to have formed only about two billion years ago. And that spacecraft have detected other water-bearing minerals like clays in regions that date back more than 3.5 billion years. The article goes on to say that in July scientists reported that the orbiter had detected vast deposits of the claylike minerals on the older terrains. Images also showed ancient lakebeds with accumulations of the minerals, indicating standing water persisted for thousands of years. And that the presence of water on Mars has been known for many years; its ice caps, which can be seen from space, are made of frozen water.
This affects humans in many different ways. For example, if the scientists are able to discover why the water disappear maybe they will be able to bring it back. And once earth is destroyed maybe we could live on Mars. In addition, once we are able to find out where the water went we may be able to discover if anything living lived on Mars. And if they can figure out what happened to the water, then maybe we could use the water here on earth for our daily purposes.
The article was interesting in many ways. First, I like how the article was easy to read and understand. In addition, I like how they used scientist to back up their ideas and I like how they used pictures to get their point across. And I like how this topic is current to today. In conclusion I enjoyed reading this article and doing the current event on this article as well.
Chang, Kenneth. "Minerals on Mars Point to More Recent Presence of Water." New York Time 3 Nov. 2009.
Posted by S. Chrappa
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Colter Smith.
ReplyDeleteI am commenting on Steven’s article: Minerals in Mars Point to More Recent Presence of Water. I enjoyed how the reasons for relevance were relevant to all humans on a global and long-term scale. I much more enjoy things that I can directly relate to, such as the possibility of bringing back life water on mars, which would make mars much more hospitable paving the way for life to be created or for possible colonies on the planet. I also enjoyed the specificity of the minerals and other substances found on mars, such as opals, and their explanations., such as the fact that opals are hydrated silicas and require water to be created. Finally, I enjoyed the use of descriptive vocabulary in the first paragraph.
On a less favorable note, I did not enjoy the wording and paragraph structure in the third paragraph. It was simply a short list without the extensive vocabulary or well planned sentences seen in the first paragraph. In addition I think he could have gone in to more detail in the second paragraph. Here again Steven lists his ideas but does not back them up with examples or deep explanation. For instance, Steven says “For example, if the scientists are able to discover why the water disappear maybe they will be able to bring it back.” However, he does not explain the great relevance or importance of bringing water back to mars.
Finally, I was surprised to learn that mars was wet for the first 2 billion years of its existence. This means that it is possible that now long gone life once lived on mars, and also means that it could possibly happen again. I very much enjoyed reading this report as the topic was so interesting and hopeful.