Week 6 - Mars

Question 1

Describe the general conditions on the surface of Mars

Answer 1

Dry
Cold
Surface area nearly = land area of Earth
No global magnetic field but indications one existed billions of years ago
Soil consisting of clay and iron oxides

Question 2

Describe various features found on the surface of Mars

Answer 2

Continental/highland areas
Widespread volcanic plains
Extensive dune fields
Canyons
Mountains
Volcanoes (Olympus Mons - solar systems biggest volcano)

Question 3

Describe what we learned from Viking landers

Answer 3

1. Labelled Gas Experiment = No biological activity was detected
2. Labelled Release Experiment = initial results were in-line with expectations for life but overall results were inconsistent
3. Pyrolytic Release Experiment = 7 of 9 positive but later dismissed
4. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) = more water than expected but no organic compounds

Question 4

Describe what we can learn from Martian meterorites

Answer 4

Early conditions and processes on Mars

Question 5

What was the significance of the ALH84001 meteorite?

Answer 5

Subject of a contentious scientific claim that it contains the remains of ancient life indigenous to Mars