Mars Flashcards
1
Q
Overview/Facts
A
- 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
2
Q
Inside Mars
A
liquid iron sulphur core
3
Q
Mars Atmosphere
A
uncertain magnetic field
4
Q
Mars vs Earth
A
- 10x less mass than Earth
5
Q
Evidence of a past fluvial system
A
- flowing liquid water
- carrying sediment
6
Q
Mars and Geodynamo
A
- no geodynamo
- did it use to have one?
possibly a heat driven one
disappeared when Mars cooled
lost magnetic field and water
7
Q
Methane on Mars
A
- rises from crust
- unsure if it is biological at its source
8
Q
Water on mars
A
- low atmosphere pressure - prevents liquid water formation
- ice sublimates directly to vapor phase
9
Q
Four Geological Periods of Mars
A
(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
10
Q
Pre-Noachian
A
- magnetic field
- massive impact cratering
11
Q
Noachian
A
- geomorphological evidence of rivers/lakes
- volcanoes
- hydrothermal vents
12
Q
Hesperian
A
- global volcanic resurfacing
- catastrophic flooding
- most atmosphere lost
13
Q
Amazonian
A
- geological activity slows
- climate is cold/dry
- glaciers at non-polar latitudes due to extreme changes ( slant)
14
Q
Mars Extremophiles
A
- Halophiles: salty water underneath surface
- Acidophiles: mars is an acidic environment
15
Q
Mars TODAY Surface
A
- low pressure atmosphere
- oxidizing
- high UV and ionizing radiation
