Assessing the oRigin and stability of martian subglacial watErS
The search for liquid water on Mars has been the main driver for the robotic exploration of the planet since Mariner 9. Evidence of subice liquid water beneath the Martian south polar cap was obtained by the MARSIS radar in 2018. Yet, the estimated planetary heat flow should not permit the formation and persistence of liquid water. The project aims to explain the existence of Martian subglacial liquid water with theoretical and experimental evidence and to assess the physical-chemical conditions that allowed the water to remain liquid for a geologically significant length of time. We will test the following two hypotheses: the water is liquid (1) because of high basal temperatures, and/or (2) because it contains specific salts that depress its temperature of melting. The integration of results from this project will guide future exploration of the polar regions of Mars.
Planned activities:
• assessing the temperature profile of the SPLD;
• computing the EM properties of the SPLD through laboratory measurements;
• determining the stability of perchlorate, chlorate and hydrated chloride solutions;
• validating MARSIS observations through direct EM modeling of the SPLD and basal materials;
• assessing the stability of subglacial water on Mars.
Start: 28/09/2023
Duration: 29 months
Financing program: PRIN 2022 (Progetti di ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale, bando 104 del 02-02-2022)
Referent: Roberto Orosei (INAF)
Collaborators: Andrea Cicchetti (IAPS), Mayssa El Yazidi (INAF)
For further information: ARES