Mars

Question 1

Overview/Facts

Answer 1

• 4th planet from sun
• 2 moons
• marks start of frost line
• orbit period: 687 days
• surface temp: -153 to 20 degrees C
• longest dust storms in solar system
• one day will have rings

Question 2

Inside Mars

Answer 2

liquid iron sulphur core

Question 3

Mars Atmosphere

Answer 3

uncertain magnetic field

Question 4

Mars vs Earth

Answer 4

• 10x less mass than Earth

Question 5

Evidence of a past fluvial system

Answer 5

• flowing liquid water
• carrying sediment

Question 6

Mars and Geodynamo

Answer 6

• no geodynamo
• did it use to have one?
  possibly a heat driven one
  disappeared when Mars cooled
  lost magnetic field and water

Question 7

Methane on Mars

Answer 7

• rises from crust
• unsure if it is biological at its source

Question 8

Water on mars

Answer 8

• low atmosphere pressure - prevents liquid water formation
• ice sublimates directly to vapor phase

Question 9

Four Geological Periods of Mars

Answer 9

(1) Pre-Noachian 4.5 Ga -4.1 Ga
(2) Noachian 4.1 GA - 3.6 GA
(3) Hesperian 3.6 GA - 3.0 GA
(4) Amazonian < 3 GA

Question 10

Pre-Noachian

Answer 10

• magnetic field
• massive impact cratering

Question 11

Noachian

Answer 11

• geomorphological evidence of rivers/lakes
• volcanoes
• hydrothermal vents

Question 12

Hesperian

Answer 12

• global volcanic resurfacing
• catastrophic flooding
• most atmosphere lost

Question 13

Amazonian

Answer 13

• geological activity slows
• climate is cold/dry
• glaciers at non-polar latitudes due to extreme changes ( slant)

Question 14

Mars Extremophiles

Answer 14

• Halophiles: salty water underneath surface
• Acidophiles: mars is an acidic environment

Question 15

Mars TODAY Surface

Answer 15

• low pressure atmosphere
• oxidizing
• high UV and ionizing radiation

Question 16

Mars TODAY Subsurface

Answer 16

• cryosphere - source of subsurface liquid
• geothermal heat
• no free oxygen