Mystery cloud-like blobs over Mars baffle astronomers.
(http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn26983/dn26983-1_300.jpg)
For space watchers, Mars is like a second home. Astronomers have been studying the Red Planet for centuries – the first map of the Martian surface was sketched 500 years ago. Since then, it has become the most surveyed planet in the solar system, besides Earth. We have sent over 50 robot explorers to patrol its surface and watch it from orbit, seven of which are operational on and around the Red Planet right this minute. It's not for nothing that space aficionados quip that Mars is the only planet known to be inhabited solely by robots.
So it was that much more surprising when, on 12 March 2012, amateur astronomers around the world noticed a strange blob rising out of the planet's southern hemisphere, soaring to 250 kilometres above the surface.
They watched for 11 days as it grew to around 1000 kilometres across, even stretching a "finger" out into space. "I was really quite amazed that it was sticking out the side of the planet quite prominently," says Damian Peach, who lives in Selsey, UK, and was one of the first to spot it.
Poor weather and other issues meant no one had their eye on Mars the following week, and by 2 April it seemed to have disappeared. Then on 6 April a second object of the same type emerged from the same spot and lasted another 10 days. It, too, has not been seen since.
Nearly three years later, the sighting still defies explanation. In an attempt to pin down the blobs' origins, Agustin Sánchez-Lavega of the University of the Basque Country, Spain, and colleagues, including Peach, sought out images of Mars from that period. They wound up collecting pictures from 18 observers equipped with a variety of small telescopes. The team also searched through old images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and identified a similar object in 1997.
Exotic theories
The team considered several possible explanations, each more exotic than the last. Despite their best efforts, though, they couldn't come up with any that were consistent with known processes – and neither can anyone else. "Frankly, I'm puzzled by the observations," says Bruce Jakosky of the University of Colorado, Boulder, who leads NASA's Mars-atmosphere-observing MAVEN mission. "I don't understand how material can get that high and stay there for so long."
One clue is that the blobs seemed to appear at Mars's terminator, the fuzzy line where night turns into day. That suggests a change in atmospheric temperature due to the morning sun may be responsible. The team's best guess is that the object is a cloud of frozen carbon dioxide and water particles condensing in the upper atmosphere.
If that's the case, it would be unlike any cloud seen anywhere on Mars, or on Earth. Clouds on both planets are only ever seen at altitudes below 100 kilometres, which on Earth is the accepted height for the beginning of outer space. "If the phenomenon is a cloud, then the most similar phenomena on Earth will be the mesospheric clouds that form at 80 kilometres altitude on polar regions," says Sánchez-Lavega.
Auroras
With that in mind, thoughts have turned to other potential explanations. Charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field to make the upper atmosphere glow – the phenomenon we call auroras. Mars's magnetic field is weak and patchy in comparison, meaning auroras were only seen there for the first time in 2005. That sighting was over a region tantalising close to the unexplained blobs.
The team calculate that the blobs could be auroras, but only if it is more than 1000 times brighter than Earth's. That seems unlikely, especially since the sun wasn't particularly active in March 2012. "The fact that you might see a visible aurora is not completely out of the realm of possibility," says Nicholas Heavens of Hampton University in Virginia. "But they don't really come to visible brightness anywhere near what this thing would be."
What about something like a massive volcano pumping material into the atmosphere? The blobs seemed to extend upwards from the surface of Mars, though it's hard to determine this exactly given the quality of the images we have. But that wouldn't explain why the blobs have only appeared in the morning says Sánchez-Lavega, and in any case we don't know of any active volcanoes on Mars.
"You would think that something large enough to dump that much vapour in the atmosphere would be picked up," says Heavens. A massive dust storm is also ruled out, as they normally don't reach above 60 kilometres and the blob doesn't carry Mars's signature dusty red.
Aliens at work?
OK, now we're getting desperate. Could the explanation be biological? Whether there is life on Mars is one of the planet's major mysteries (see box), but any alien hunters excited by the blobs should calm down, says Sánchez-Lavega: "No life past or present [has been] detected so far on Mars, so it cannot be." Heavens says there isn't really enough data to rule either way, but it's better to be cautious. "If there is no positive evidence, you should probably exclude something biological."
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26983-mystery-cloudlike-blobs-over-mars-baffle-astronomers.html?cmpid=RSS%7CNSNS%7C2012-GLOBAL%7Cspace#.VOPt0-asUYk
Don't we still have multiple Mars Orbiter cameras taking pics of the Martian surface that could easily be directed to take multiple pics of this area?? There was a program where individuals could request pics of a specific area, and NASA would do that (supposedly). So, why is it still such an unknown big deal after this "haze" was first seen 3 years ago.
Notice that there is no mention of NASA commenting relative to this anomaly?? I wonder why - - unless they do already have the definitive explanation for what this is?? And my guess is, NASA does already know!!
Here is a link to a BBC article that discusses this "mystery", and I just noticed that its ending comment also says in essence what I just noted above - "Close-up observations from telescopes or the spacecraft that are currently in orbit around the Red Planet could help to solve this Martian mystery".
A mysterious haze high above Mars has left scientists scratching their heads.
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/81043000/jpg/_81043906_mars_cloud.jpg)
The plume appeared twice in 2012, and stretched for 1,000km
The vast plume was initially spotted by amateur astronomers in 2012, and appeared twice before vanishing.
Scientists have now analysed the images and say that say the formation, stretching for more than 1,000km, is larger than any seen before.
Writing in the journal Nature, the researchers believe the plume could be a large cloud or an exceptionally bright aurora.
However, they are unsure how these could have formed in the thin upper reaches of the Martian atmosphere.
Continue reading the main story
"
Start Quote
To begin with, I thought there was a problem with the telescope or camera"
Damian Peach
Astronomer
"It raises more questions than answers," said Antonio Garcia Munoz, a planetary scientist from the European Space Agency.
Around the world, a network of amateur astronomers keep their telescopes trained on the Red Planet.
They first spotted the strange plume in March 2012 above Mars' southern hemisphere.
Damian Peach was one of the first stargazers to capture images of the phenomenon.
He told BBC News: "I noticed this projection sticking out of the side of the planet. To begin with, I thought there was a problem with the telescope or camera.
"But as I checked more of the images, I realised it was a real feature - and it was quite a surprise."
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/81043000/jpg/_81043061_marscloud_dp.jpg)
Damian Peach was one of the first astronomers to image the plume
The vast, bright haze lasted for about 10 days. A month later, it reappeared for the same length of time. But it has not been seen since.
An international team of scientists has now confirmed the finding, but they are struggling to find an explanation.
Continue reading the main story
"
Start Quote
We know in this region on Mars, there have been auroras reported before"
Dr Garcia Munoz
European Space Agency
One theory is that the plume is a cloud of carbon dioxide or water particles.
"We know there are clouds on Mars, but clouds, up to this point, have been observed up to an altitude of 100km," Dr Garcia Munoz said.
"And we are reporting a plume at 200km, so it is significantly different. At 200km, we shouldn't see any clouds, the atmosphere is too thin - so the fact we see it for 20 days in total is quite surprising."
Another explanation is that this is a Martian version of the northern or southern lights.
Dr Garcia Munoz explained: "We know in this region on Mars, there have been auroras reported before. But the intensities we are reporting are much much higher than any auroras seen before on Mars or on Earth.
"It would be 1,000 times stronger than the strongest aurora, and it is difficult to come to terms that Mars has such an intense aurora."
If either of these theories are right, he said, it would mean our understanding of Mars' upper atmosphere is wrong.
He hopes that by publishing the paper, other scientists might also come up with explanations.
If they cannot, astronomers will have to wait for the plumes to return.
Close-up observations from telescopes or the spacecraft that are currently in orbit around the Red Planet could help to solve this Martian mystery.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31491805
I also would assume so...
That's a bit of a mystery as to why they are not referring or using orbiters if they do have them circulating the Planet still..
Just noticed one of your previous threads....Is this blob cloud related ?
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum/index.php?topic=4547.0
QuoteDon't we still have multiple Mars Orbiter cameras taking pics of the Martian surface that could easily be directed to take multiple pics of this area?? There was a program where individuals could request pics of a specific area, and NASA would do that (supposedly). So, why is it still such an unknown big deal after this "haze" was first seen 3 years ago.
Quote from: rdunk on February 17, 2015, 05:06:16 PM
Don't we still have multiple Mars Orbiter cameras taking pics of the Martian surface that could easily be directed to take multiple pics of this area??
There are at least two orbiting missions active now (and at the time this happened), ESA's Mars Express and NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, so they could have been used to photograph that area, if they knew about it.
QuoteThere was a program where individuals could request pics of a specific area, and NASA would do that (supposedly).
I think you are talking about HiWish, in which you can suggest a target for HiRISE to photograph.
QuoteSo, why is it still such an unknown big deal after this "haze" was first seen 3 years ago.
First and last, if I understood it correctly, as it hasn't been seen since then.
QuoteNotice that there is no mention of NASA commenting relative to this anomaly?? I wonder why - - unless they do already have the definitive explanation for what this is??
Maybe they didn't ask them. :)
Well lets see what we can gather... will sort it later :P
(http://scd.france24.com/en/files/imagecache/france24_ct_api_bigger_169/images/afp/f355b1333b91d9e2a9129e4b81766e15c782bc88.jpg)
© ISRO/AFP/File | Amateur astronomers spot two cloud-like plumes high over Mars, as seen here on September 30, 2014 from the Indian Space Research Organisation
PARIS (AFP) -
Amateur astronomers have spotted two strange, cloud-like plumes high over Mars, deepening the mystery of what constitutes the Red Planet's atmosphere, a study said Monday.
The phenomenon was observed on March 12, 2012 over the "terminator", the boundary between day and night on Mars.
One of the plumes developed in around 10 hours and lasted for about 11 days, shifting shape from "double blob protrusions" to pillars which merged into a "finger", the study authors wrote.
A second was spotted nearby on April 6, 2012, and lasted about 10 days.
Their trails were vast, extending between 500 and 1,000 kilometres (300 to 600 miles) in north-to-south and east-to-west directions.
The "clouds" -- if that is indeed what they were -- were seen at high altitude, at about 200-250 kilometres, roughly above Terra Cimmeria, which is part of Mars' rugged southern highlands, according to the paper.
Mars is being scrutinised for signs of water and volcanic activity, both of which could theoretically nurture some form of life.
Clouds of dust or ice crystals have been spotted occasionally over Mars in the past.
But they have never been as extensive as the latest two, and they always formed at an altitude below 100 kilometres.
The plumes could be made of particles of water or carbon dioxide, said the paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience by a team led by Agustin Sanchez-Lavega of the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Spain.
Alternatively, it could be an aurora, similar to the shimmering light show that develops in Earth's atmosphere when solar particles collide with Earth's magnetic field.
Past surveillance by scientific orbiters have suggested Terra Cimmeria to have a "strip" with a strong but localised magnetic field.
If correct, the Martian "aurora" would be a remarkable 1,000 times brighter than its terrestrial equivalent.
But "both explanations defy our current understanding of Mars' upper atmosphere," the scientists admit.
http://www.france24.com/en/20150216-cloud-over-mars-leaves-scientists-baffled/
Scientists Struggle To Explain These Bizarre Martian Plumes
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Z0IWJZiN--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/mysz6vshjp2zsxfzgenu.jpg)
Astronomers have been unable to explain the sudden but fleeting appearance of massive plumes high up in the Martian atmosphere. Rising to altitudes of over 155 miles (250 km), these hazy structures are forcing scientists to re-evaluate what they know about the Martian atmosphere.
Top image W. Jaeschke and D. Parker
Amateur astronomers reported the plume-like features on two separate occasions back in March and April 2012.
"I noticed this projection sticking out of the side of the planet," noted amateur astronomer Damian Peach in a BBC article. "To begin with, I thought there was a problem with the telescope or camera. But as I checked more of the images, I realized it was a real feature — and it was quite a surprise."
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--kUayk7ah--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/plmcjge7pgomsd8y0zlf.gif)
(W. Jaeschke)
A surprise, indeed: The plumes extended way up to the top of the Martian atmosphere — about 100 miles (150 km) higher than similar features observed in the past. At such a height, where Mars's atmosphere is supposed to end and space begin, meteorological phenomenon such as this aren't supposed to happen. As noted by lead researcher Agustin Sanchez-Lavega of the Universidad del País Vasco in Spain in an ESA release, the "reported plumes are extremely unexpected."
Because scientists had never seen anything like this before, they decided to re-analyze more than 3,500 images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and stored in amateur image archives. Sure enough, the astronomers discovered a similar occurrence in a Hubble image dated May 17, 1999. The images suggest that, while rare, these plumes do seem to happen on Mars.
Massive Martian Mists
When they do occur, the plumes only take about 10 hours to form, extending over an area measuring 620 by 930 miles (1,000 by 1,500 km) in both the north-south and east-west directions. They hang in the atmosphere for about 10 days, changing shape on a daily basis before finally disappearing. The apparent clouds extend up into Mars's ionosphere and exosphere where the atmosphere is incredibly thin.
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Ecla2f3F--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/r8zfmpfhb0g9dtphw7z4.jpg)
(W. Jaeschke and D. Parker)
The plumes were observed along the Martian limb, i.e. the observed 'edge' of the planet, at the night/day boundary. The misty structures discovered in 2012 were situated between 124 and 155 miles (200 and 250 km) above the Terra Cemmeria region of the Red Planet's south-eastern hemisphere.
The plumes could not be observed by orbiting spacecraft owing to an incorrect viewing angle and poor lighting conditions.
The astronomers who are currently studying the nature and cause of the plumes have come up with two different theories.
Theory #1: Auroras
The first theory is that they're highly concentrated and localized patches of auroral emissions controlled by magnetic field anomalies in the planet's crust. And in fact, such phenomena have been recorded at an altitude of 80 miles (130 km). What's more, auroral emissions have been previously observed above these geographic locations; this particular spot on Mars is known for having a large anomaly in the crust's magnetic field.
"I think there's still some discussion about the magnetic field as a contributing factor because of the high solar winds at the time," noted amateur Florida astronomer Wayne Jaeschke in an ABC Science article. "We saw this feature as several large coronal mass ejections from the Sun were passing by Mars."
Trouble is, the math doesn't add up; the strength of this apparent auroral emission should have been far weaker than the brightness exhibited by these massive plumes. For this theory to work, the observed aurora would have to be 1,000 times brighter than aurora found on Earth. As astronomer Garcia Munoz told the BBC, "it is difficult to come to terms that Mars has such an intense aurora."
Theory #2: Large Clouds of Ice and Dust
Another theory is that it's a hazy concoction of water-ice and/or carbon-dioxide-ice crystals mixed in with the fine Martian dust. Previous studies have shown that similar clouds can extend to a maximum height of 60 miles (100 km) when pushed upwards by major dust storms.
"One idea we've discussed is that the features are caused by a reflective cloud of water-ice, carbon dioxide-ice or dust particles, but this would require exceptional deviations from standard atmospheric circulation models to explain cloud formations at such high altitudes," noted Sanchez-Lavega.
Indeed, as the authors conclude in their study, "Importantly, both explanations defy our current understanding of Mars' upper atmosphere." Meaning that, if either of these theories is correct, science's present understanding of the physics in Mars's upper atmosphere is incorrect, or incomplete.
Hopefully these plumes will return in the near future so they can be studied further.
Read the entire study at Nature: "An extremely high-altitude plume seen at Mars' morning terminator" (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature14162.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr).
http://io9.com/scientists-struggle-to-explain-these-bizarre-martian-pl-1686274987
Quote from: astr0144 on February 17, 2015, 06:01:00 PM
Just noticed one of your previous threads....Is this blob cloud related ?
No those are just normal Martian clouds :D
But THIS one... MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-249, 12 September 2000
Recent Mars and Earth Dust Storms ComparedIn this figure, we compare a recent dust storm on Mars with one that occurred earlier this year on Earth. The top image shows a martian north polar dust storm observed on 29 August 2000. This image is part of the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global map--a low resolution, two-color view of Mars acquired from pole to pole every orbit. The storm is moving as a front, outward from a central "jet," and marginal "vortices" can be seen. In this image it extends about 900 km (560 mi) out from the north polar seasonal frost cap. The region on the right side of the Mars picture includes the north pole. The bottom image shows a terrestrial dust storm, seen in a SeaWiFS image, acquired on 26 February 2000. This storm exends about 1800 km (1100 mi) off the coast of northwest Africa near the Earth's equator. Both images are shown at the same scale; 4 km (2.5 mi) per pixel.
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/mars_and_earth_storms.jpg)
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/02files/Mars_Blue_Bird_Weather.html
Quote from: rdunk on February 17, 2015, 05:06:16 PM
Don't we still have multiple Mars Orbiter cameras taking pics of the Martian surface that could easily be directed to take multiple pics of this area??
Problem is that this was seen in 2012 BBC says; "The vast plume was initially spotted by amateur astronomers in 2012, and appeared twice before vanishing."
So they took this long to release the pictures
QuoteThere was a program where individuals could request pics of a specific area, and NASA would do that (supposedly). So, why is it still such an unknown big deal after this "haze" was first seen 3 years ago.
That program is/was? for LRO on the moon not for Mars.
Three years is about how long it takes them to think about it. They did the same with the Mars Methane
Thanks "Z" for explaining about the time frames involved and for us to perhaps understand that although it initially occurred some time ago that they maybe only just letting us know about it..or that some of the info is updated or maybe recent..even if some things may have already come out...
Makes it more interesting and its another mystery to be solved..
QuoteProblem is that this was seen in 2012 BBC says; "The vast plume was initially spotted by amateur astronomers in 2012, and appeared twice before vanishing."
So they took this long to release the pictures
QuoteThat program is/was? for LRO on the moon not for Mars.
Three years is about how long it takes them to think about it. They did the same with the Mars Methane
Quote rdunk
There was a program where individuals could request pics of a specific area, and NASA would do that (supposedly). So, why is it still such an unknown big deal after this "haze" was first seen 3 years ago.
Quote Zorgon
That program is/was? for LRO on the moon not for Mars.
Three years is about how long it takes them to think about it. They did the same with the Mars Methane
Z, here is a 2010 article about this: Ready, aim, click: Mars imaging team takes your requests
Scientists with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, currently circling the planet Mars, have released the first images suggested by John and Jane Q. Public. The program is designed to bring extra sets of eyes to the image-targeting process.
Scientists with NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter yesterday released the craft's first images of the Martian surface taken at the behest of everyday folks with a keen interest in the red planet.
It's an aspect of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission scientists started in January. It's called HiWish.
So far, only about 1 percent of the Martian surface has gotten the Ansel Adams treatment from the spacecraft's high-resolution camera. From its orbit, which ranges from 200 to 400 kilometers (125 to 250 miles) above the planet, HiRISE can spot objects as small as 1 meter across on the surface.
The HiRISE team has its ever-evolving science agenda, to be sure. But "we appreciate fresh thinking outside the box," notes Alfred McEwen, the lead scientist for HiRISE. Input from the public prompts his team to "look for things we may not have chosen otherwise."
Ari Espinoza, an outreach coordinator for HiRISE's public-request program, notes that participants so far range from bona fide scientists to a retired school teacher with an abiding fascination with Mars. "We're really viewing this as the people's camera," Mr. Espinoza says.
More, including instructions on how to participate:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/Discoveries/2010/0401/Ready-aim-click-Mars-imaging-team-takes-your-requests
I suppose this post (http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum/index.php?topic=7872.msg109763#msg109763) is invisible. :P
:-[ :-[ :-[
Yes Armap...I think that I see your point...
maybe a few apologies or explanations required here !
Quote from: ArMaP on February 18, 2015, 05:27:52 PM
I suppose this post (http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum/index.php?topic=7872.msg109763#msg109763) is invisible. :P
Quote from: ArMaP on February 18, 2015, 05:27:52 PM
I suppose this post (http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum/index.php?topic=7872.msg109763#msg109763) is invisible. :P
ArMaP - Nope, wasn't invisible at all, but since Z mentioned it was a "Moon program that did such rather than Mars", I simply posted factual data to bring Z up to date on this, rather than refer to your comment. I did assume that you were knowledgeable of the program too, because of your comment. ???
Quote from: astr0144 on February 18, 2015, 05:14:27 AM
Makes it more interesting and its another mystery to be solved..
What we need is that Nature article but I don't feel like paying $35.00 for it I will see if I can get it from NASA
Quote from: rdunk on February 18, 2015, 07:29:29 PM
I simply posted factual data to bring Z up to date on this, rather than refer to your comment. I did assume that you were knowledgeable of the program too, because of your comment. ???
Thanks for the update I did miss that program and yes ArMaPs post :P
I must be getting old :D But then that is why we have a TEAM right?
8)
Quote from: zorgon on February 18, 2015, 07:34:14 PM
I must be getting old :D But then that is why we have a TEAM right?
8)
Very right Z! But, in your case you have just a lot of ground to cover here, and no way for everything to "get covered"! As participation grows, the team-work gets even better! Thanks!
Quote from: rdunk on February 18, 2015, 07:44:29 PM
As participation grows, the team-work gets even better! Thanks!
It comes and goes LOL we start getting a good team... egos flare... people leave Back to square one :D
Oh well we do what we can :D
I haven't read the whole thread here but I have read on this elsewhere.
Basically one of the reasons for the paper being written is to encourage interest in the area and persuade TPTB to use the orbiters to take a good look at the area. Unfortunately the "plumes" are no longer visible but it should be worth a look.
Well let's back up a little to the Mars Methane
Any of you (other than ArMaP :P remember the green cloud on Mars? Let me recap...
This was the NASA original a clip from the larger panorama
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Seminole_L257atc-A677R1/Fog_001.png)
This was actually the thread at ATS where ArMaP and I came to an agreement on COLOR on Mars :P
So this was Mike Singh's adjustment
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Seminole_L257atc-A677R1/6122c476f98445540bde80e32e99f7f7.jpg)
Sent: 8-9-2009 at 04:02 AM
"Here's the true color of that image posted above. Note the greens and blues - moss, lichen, grass....? And what looks like a lake in the distance! By the way, NO coloring whatsoever has been superimposed on this image. Just reducing NASA's horrific amount of saturation!!"
-Mike Singh
Well ArMaP did the work using the color channels and came up with the REAL (as opposed to TRUE) color :P
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Seminole_L257atc-A677R1/Fog_003_ArMaP.png)
The befuddlement was his meaning of TRUE color o we were always on the same page really... end result we agree that the skies on Mars are blue , but the sun is not as bright on Mars due to distance
The full workup on that image is here
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/02files/Mars_Images_58_Green_Fog.html
Now the POINT is that shortly after I got the report on methane on Mars from the NASA ftp site...
So let's have a look...
Martian Methane
Reveals the Red Planet is not a Dead Planet
Here is one of the images from that NASA report. I am starting with this one because ... well... it shows the methane release as GREEN FOG
::)
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Life/Methane_005.png)
So that fog in the other image really IS green and NASA seems to think it is a methane cloud. So ArMaP's color on Mars is pretty close to real color... as we would see it standing there
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Life/303598main_mjmumma_vid_01_1280_01.jpg)
Credit: NASA
This image shows concentrations of Methane discovered on Mars.
Martian Methane Reveals the Red Planet is not a Dead Planet
Jan. 15, 2009
Mars today is a world of cold and lonely deserts, apparently without life of any kind, at least on the surface. Worse still, it looks like Mars has been cold and dry for billions of years, with an atmosphere so thin, any liquid water on the surface quickly boils away while the sun's ultraviolet radiation scorches the ground.
But there is evidence of a warmer and wetter past -- features resembling dry riverbeds and minerals that form in the presence of water indicate water once flowed through Martian sands. Since liquid water is required for all known forms of life, scientists wonder if life could have risen on Mars, and if it did, what became of it as the Martian climate changed.
New research reveals there is hope for Mars yet. The first definitive detection of methane in the atmosphere of Mars indicates the planet is still alive, in either a biologic or geologic sense, according to a team of NASA and university scientists.
"Methane is quickly destroyed in the Martian atmosphere in a variety of ways, so our discovery of substantial plumes of methane in the northern hemisphere of Mars in 2003 indicates some ongoing process is releasing the gas," said Dr. Michael Mumma of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "At northern mid-summer, methane is released at a rate comparable to that of the massive hydrocarbon seep at Coal Oil Point in Santa Barbara, Calif."
Methane -- four atoms of hydrogen bound to a carbon atom -- is the main component of natural gas on Earth. It's of interest to astrobiologists because organisms release much of Earth's methane as they digest nutrients. However, other purely geological processes, like oxidation of iron, also release methane. "Right now, we don't have enough information to tell if biology or geology -- or both -- is producing the methane on Mars," said Mumma. "But it does tell us that the planet is still alive, at least in a geologic sense. It's as if Mars is challenging us, saying, hey, find out what this means." Mumma is lead author of a paper on this research appearing in Science Express Jan. 15.
If microscopic Martian life is producing the methane, it likely resides far below the surface, where it's still warm enough for liquid water to exist. Liquid water, as well as energy sources and a supply of carbon, are necessary for all known forms of life.
"On Earth, microorganisms thrive 2 to 3 kilometers (about 1.2 to 1.9 miles) beneath the Witwatersrand basin of South Africa, where natural radioactivity splits water molecules into molecular hydrogen (H2) and oxygen. The organisms use the hydrogen for energy. It might be possible for similar organisms to survive for billions of years below the permafrost layer on Mars, where water is liquid, radiation supplies energy, and carbon dioxide provides carbon," said Mumma.
"Gases, like methane, accumulated in such underground zones might be released into the atmosphere if pores or fissures open during the warm seasons, connecting the deep zones to the atmosphere at crater walls or canyons," said Mumma.
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Life/303609main_satreya_vid_01_1280_03.jpg)
Credit: NASA/Susan Twardy
Scientists don't yet know enough to say with certainty what the source of the Martian methane is, but this artist's concept depicts a possibility. In this illustration, subsurface water, carbon dioxide and the planet's internal heat combine to release methane. Although we don't have evidence on Mars of active volcanoes today, ancient methane trapped in ice "cages" might now be released.
"Microbes that produced methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide were one of the earliest forms of life on Earth," noted Dr. Carl Pilcher, Director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute which partially supported the research. "If life ever existed on Mars, it's reasonable to think that its metabolism might have involved making methane from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide."
However, it is possible a geologic process produced the Martian methane, either now or eons ago. On Earth, the conversion of iron oxide (rust) into the serpentine group of minerals creates methane, and on Mars this process could proceed using water, carbon dioxide, and the planet's internal heat. Although we don't have evidence on Mars of active volcanoes today, ancient methane trapped in ice "cages" called clathrates might now be released.
The team found methane in the atmosphere of Mars by carefully observing the planet over several Mars years (and all Martian seasons) with NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility, run by the University of Hawaii, and the W. M. Keck telescope, both at Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
The team used spectrometer instruments attached to the telescopes to make the detection. Spectrometers spread light into its component colors, like a prism separates white light into a rainbow. The team looked for dark areas in specific places along the rainbow (light spectrum) where methane was absorbing sunlight reflected from the Martian surface. They found three such areas, called absorption lines, which together are a definitive signature of methane, according to the team. They were able to distinguish lines from Martian methane from the methane in Earth's atmosphere because the motion of the Red Planet shifted the position of the Martian lines, much as a speeding ambulance causes its siren to change pitch as it passes by.
"We observed and mapped multiple plumes of methane on Mars, one of which released about 19,000 metric tons of methane," said Dr. Geronimo Villanueva of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Villanueva is stationed at NASA Goddard and is co-author of the paper. "The plumes were emitted during the warmer seasons -- spring and summer -- perhaps because the permafrost blocking cracks and fissures vaporized, allowing methane to seep into the Martian air. Curiously, some plumes had water vapor while others did not," said Villanueva.
According to the team, the plumes were seen over areas that show evidence of ancient ground ice or flowing water. For example, plumes appeared over northern hemisphere regions such as east of Arabia Terra, the Nili Fossae region, and the south-east quadrant of Syrtis Major, an ancient volcano 1,200 kilometers (about 745 miles) across.
It will take future missions, like NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, to discover the origin of the Martian methane. One way to tell if life is the source of the gas is by measuring isotope ratios. Isotopes are heavier versions of an element; for example, deuterium is a heavier version of hydrogen. In molecules that contain hydrogen, like water and methane, the rare deuterium occasionally replaces a hydrogen atom. Since life prefers to use the lighter isotopes, if the methane has less deuterium than the water released with it on Mars, it's a sign that life is producing the methane. The research was funded by NASA's Planetary Astronomy Program and the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
SOURCE: NASA Mars Methane
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/news/marsmethane.html
The rest of the reports are here, though I have not updated the information since
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/02files/Mars_Images_52_Methane.html
Quote from: zorgon on February 19, 2015, 03:36:58 AM
So ArMaP's color on Mars is pretty close to real color... as we would see it standing there
It's more the real colour of the objects in the scene, as an observer would see a reddish version resulting from the filtering from the dust in the air, the same thing that happens on dust storms on Earth. :)
except that there isn't always dust in the air :P If there was we wouldn't have so many clear pictures from orbit
Quote from: zorgon on February 19, 2015, 10:00:58 AM
except that there isn't always dust in the air :P If there was we wouldn't have so many clear pictures from orbit
There is dust in the air, that's what makes that famous reddish tint on surface photos (or a hazy look on monochrome photos). That dust isn't as noticeable from space because the light comes (approximately) from the direction from where the camera is taking the photo.
You can see that in satellite photos of Earth, just a slight dust storm or smoke isn't enough to block the view of the ground below but, when looked from below with the light coming through the dust/smoke it affects the colours on the scene on the ground.
Quote from: zorgon on February 19, 2015, 03:30:31 AM
Well ArMaP did the work using the color channels and came up with the REAL (as opposed to TRUE) color :P
I independently came to the conclusion that a thinner atmosphere would have a sky
more blue than the sky on earth based on how a thinner atmosphere effects the wavelength of light. And I didn't need to do any image analysis. :P
Basically, the blue skies were edited to look always red (when low dust levels) by NASA to meet with public expectations.
Quote from: Pimander on February 19, 2015, 01:23:00 PM
I independently came to the conclusion that a thinner atmosphere would have a sky more blue than the sky on earth based on how a thinner atmosphere effects the wavelength of light. And I didn't need to do any image analysis. :P
What's the colour of the Earth's atmosphere at high altitudes?
QuoteBasically, the blue skies were edited to look always red (when low dust levels) by NASA to meet with public expectations.
No need for that, some dust in the air creates that effect, I saw that some years ago here in Portugal when the end of a Moroccan dust storm moved more to the north than usual.
Quote from: ArMaP on February 19, 2015, 01:53:56 PM
What's the colour of the Earth's atmosphere at high altitudes?
One of the reasons I like Nevada when you go out into the high desert (Bryce Canton rim is at 8,000 to 9,000 feet) you get to see clear blue skies. You have to experience to believe it but this picture shows what I mean
(http://spicewallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Dry-Desert-Sky-hd-Wallpaper.jpg)
QuoteNo need for that, some dust in the air creates that effect, I saw that some years ago here in Portugal when the end of a Moroccan dust storm moved more to the north than usual.
Here in the hot summers we too get haze heat and dust makes it look foggy but still blue
(http://www.storyculture.com/blog/images/2008/10/30/grand_canyon_hazelivewebcam.png)
Like this NASA picture of Mars in a dust storm :P dark, dusty but still blue :D
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars/sunset_a489_gamma_2sub_800_br.jpg)
Now some severe dust storms will give you red skies like this one in Australia. Quite impressive photos LOL of this huge cloud of red dust
(http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ScreenSnapz0241.jpg)
So once your inside that everything looks red
(http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ausdust_09_23/d03_20460815.jpg)
But what we are talking about is THIS
What is the point of taking a color gradient chart to Mars if your not going to use it? :P
And yes we ARE arguing about color again LOL but only because I want to gather it all in one spot to refresh the website
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/mars-spirit-sundial.gif)
So lets go have a look at Viking. First the NASA image with too much red that they were showing
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/12E018.jpg)
Then the over driven blue version by the conspiracy nuts :P
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/12B166.jpg)
Both are wrong because Viking is WHITE so this is closer to real color... and yes its dusty that day with a tint of reddish :P
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars5/Viking_1/152324main_PIA01522-330.jpg)
Now here is the thing The current Rover images are not as red tinted as before in fact they look a lot more Nevada desert like than before so maybe NASA gave up the red tinting :P But the odd thing is the ORIGINAL images from Viking are still available at NASA like THIS one Hmmm how about that blue sky
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars5/Viking_1/sir3lv5.jpg)
This is from the website
QuoteNow then I too have a Mars Color image...
The image below taken by Spirit Rover is one from NASA and is "Radiometrically Calibrated" This image represents true color on Mars. These images are not generally released to the public yet are not difficult to find. However for the time being you will have to track them down yourself as we are not ready to hand over this source just yet...
Now I have done field work in geology for most of my life and the bluish black rocks and the sand in the image below look just like the volcanic Scoria, a type of Basalt in the desert sands here in Nevada... This summer I will go and take some photos of the area so we have a direct comparison.
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/Scoria_001.jpg)
n the meantime below is a small sample of Scoria or Vesicular Basalt. You can see the bluish black natural color of this material and it is readily found on Earth as one of the more common lavas... So I am 100% positive on the type of rock and the color on Mars :P
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/Basalt_Vesicular.jpg)
In fact one of the things I look for in NASA images is the rocks seeing as I am interested in rocks :D So here are some more really nice closeups
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Spirit_Sol_728_Rocks/Sol_732_2P191347096RADAN00P2555L257C1.JPG)
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Spirit_Sol_728_Rocks/Sol_735_2P191617398RADANF2P2561L234567C1.JPG)
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Spirit_Sol_728_Rocks/Sol_736_2P191701003RADANHEP2562L234567C1.JPG)
Mars Rover Color Calibration Chart
The "Sundial"
This one is from a paper on the Martian colors done by Lockheed Martin
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/Color_Mars_Final_02.png)
These are images from Lockheeds color correction :P
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Color/2P182468270ESFAEVOP2546L456.jpg)
A clear day today
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Spirit_Sol_1505/Sol_1508_Raw_2P260233647EFFAY00P2289L234567M1.JPG)
A Bright Clear and Sunny Day
Spirit :: Panorama Camera :: Sol 1508
DANG!!! Looks just like my Nevada picture :P
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Spirit_Sol_1505/Sol_1515_Raw_2P260856830EFFAY00P2292L234567M1.JPG)
A Bright Clear and Sunny Day
Spirit :: Panorama Camera :: Sol 1515
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Spirit_Sol_1505/Sol_1526_Raw_2P261833484EFFAY00P2298L234567M1.JPG)
A Bright Clear and Sunny Day Bit of dust and haze
Spirit :: Panorama Camera :: Sol 1526
Twilight on a Cloudy Day - Pathfinder
This true color image was taken in the twilight by the rover Pathfinder on Mars in August 1997. The clouds are of the same type as those discovered by SPICAM at a much higher altitude. The sky on Mars is BLUE
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars/228523888_4078677bbd.jpg)
Quote from: zorgon on February 19, 2015, 07:17:06 PM
Like this NASA picture of Mars in a dust storm :P dark, dusty but still blue :D
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars/sunset_a489_gamma_2sub_800_br.jpg)
The problem with that photo is that it was made with images from filters L2, L5 and L7, the filters that make the colour target look like this
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/2p169773285radaae0p2828l22Bl52Bl7c1.png)
instead of this
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/2p169774355radaae0p2124l42Bl52Bl6c1.png)
PS: both images are from the same sol as the photo you posted.
Quote from: ArMaP on February 19, 2015, 01:53:56 PM
What's the colour of the Earth's atmosphere at high altitudes?
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/View_from_the_SR-71_Blackbird.jpg/800px-View_from_the_SR-71_Blackbird.jpg)
View of the earth as seen from the SR-71 Blackbird at approximately 73,000 feet (22,000 m)(http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/U2-spyplane-view-300x199.jpg)
The view from 70,000 feet out the window of a U-2 is quite spectacularThe sky gets...... more blue. :)
It admittedly gets blacker very high but that is because there is almost no atmosphere for the light to hit but the blue does get more intense.
Quote
No need for that, some dust in the air creates that effect, I saw that some years ago here in Portugal when the end of a Moroccan dust storm moved more to the north than usual.
Yes I agree but some of the early pictures released by NASA had too much red. In my opinion NASA tried to make images to fit with what the public expected. The same thing happened with the early Apollo missions.
Have you categorically agreed or disagreed with us on this yet ArMaP? ::)
Quote from: Pimander on February 24, 2015, 09:53:45 AM
The sky gets...... more blue. :)
It admittedly gets blacker very high but that is because there is almost no atmosphere for the light to hit but the blue does get more intense.
I think I have read somewhere that some people say it should look whiter, but looking at the photos you posted it looks it should look closer to black than to white.
QuoteYes I agree but some of the early pictures released by NASA had too much red. In my opinion NASA tried to make images to fit with what the public expected. The same thing happened with the early Apollo missions.
Have you categorically agreed or disagreed with us on this yet ArMaP? ::)
No, I haven't, as I haven't looked much at the older photos. :)
Quote from: ArMaP on February 24, 2015, 11:51:08 AM
I think I have read somewhere that some people say it should look whiter, but looking at the photos you posted it looks it should look closer to black than to white.
I'd suggest that with extremely thin atmosphere that you would expect the atmosphere to be whiter as the light would not be effected much. Even thinner than that and it would look black as the light would hit so few atoms there would be nothing to scatter the light.
However, those pictures I posted above suggest blue which gets darker as you get closer to space which seems to confirm my theory about the Martian atmosphere should be more blue than on Earth (at least in the absence of clouds or dust).
This is curious... wonder if it's related?
Mushroom Cloud on Mars Spotted by India's Orbiter
March 8, 2015 Paul Seaburn
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum/index.php?topic=8025.msg110925;topicseen#new
Quote from: zorgon on March 12, 2015, 03:44:33 AM
This is curious... wonder if it's related?
It's related, it's in the same planet. ;D
Mystery cloud-like blobs over Mars baffle astronomers
In 2012, amateur astronomers spotted at least one unidentified object rising into the Martian sky. Could auroras, volcanoes or aliens be to blame?
(http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn26983/dn26983-3_480.gif)
Action replay (Image: W. Jaeschke)
(http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn26983/dn26983-1_1200.jpg)
(Image: Grupo Ciencias Planetarias (GCP) - UPV/EHU)
Quote from: Pimander on February 24, 2015, 12:16:55 PM
I'd suggest that with extremely thin atmosphere that you would expect the atmosphere to be whiter as the light would not be effected much.
However, those pictures I posted above suggest blue which gets darker as you get closer to space which seems to confirm my theory about the Martian atmosphere should be more blue than on Earth (at least in the absence of clouds or dust).
Well the color blue is caused by Rayleigh scattering so the sky would also be blue on Mars for the same reason. I wrote several scientists about that years ago One said it would be black like it was on the Moon because Mars had no atmosphere (I kid you not... this was on a kids Astronomy ask questions site)
Here in Nevada in the high desert (Bryce Canyon top where you enter is at 9000 ft and Grand Canyon South rim is at 6,400 to 7.500 feet) we get really deep blue skies when there are no clouds. This is the best picture I have that illustrates what we see...This was taken at about 4000 feet. Bare in mind this is looking UP
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/642404main_neoimage20120424-full.jpg)
In contrast when its cloudy you get more white This is from Bryce Canyon Rim at 9000 feet. Bare in mind this is looking down and through a long distance
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/BryceCanyon-Amphiteatre1.jpg/1024px-BryceCanyon-Amphiteatre1.jpg)
QuoteEven thinner than that and it would look black as the light would hit so few atoms there would be nothing to scatter the light.
That would then mean that the atmosphere on Mars is thicker... both for the blue version we calim and the dust storm red version Both require a substantial atmosphere
Had to move this one... as it is from 1999
(http://www.mauiastronomyclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Water_ice_clouds_hanging_above_Tharsis_PIA02653_black_background.jpeg)
Never short of surprises (Image: NASA/JPL/MSSS)
PIA02653: Mars Daily Global Image from April 1999
Original Caption Released with Image:
Twelve orbits a day provide the Mars Global Surveyor MOC wide angle cameras a global "snapshot" of weather patterns across the planet. Here, bluish-white water ice clouds hang above the Tharsis volcanoes. This computer generated image was created by wrapping the global map found at PIA02066 onto a sphere. The center of this newly [sic] projected sphere is located at 15degrees North, 90 degrees West. This perspective rotates the south pole (which has no data coverage in the original map) away from our field of view.
Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. MSSS operates the camera from its facilities in San Diego, CA. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Surveyor Operations Project operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, CA and Denver, CO.
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/MSSS
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02653
Cyclone Captured by Viking 1 Orbiter
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Cyclone_Viking_02.gif)
Courtesy © 1998 by Calvin J. Hamilton
Image taken by the Viking spacecraft. Along the edge of the Martian polar cap, cyclonic disturbances are common during the late summer and fall. This storm system is located at the edge of the northern polar cap. In the foreground, frost can be seen as bright areas.
This Viking 1 Orbiter image was acquired in June 1978 early in the northern hemisphere's summer. The image is of a region near the north polar cap, approximately 80º North, 160º West. This image was taken by the Viking 1 Orbiter when it was about 10,000 kilometers distant. As shown here, North is towards the left and East is up with the East-West dimension being approximately 500 kilometers long. What makes this image unique is the presence of the spiral, cyclonic cloud structure. In all their years of operation, the two Viking orbiters only observed four such storms. The exact nature of how such storms originate is a subject of debate.
More Clouds on Mars
Lee Wave Cloud
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Leewave_Viking_02.gif)
Courtesy © 1998 by Calvin J. Hamilton
Image taken by the Viking spacecraft. This is a good example of a lee wave associated with an impact crater. Note the wave periodicity in the clouds.
Lee Wave Cloud
Crater with Wavy Fog
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-424, 17 July 2003
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Leewave_MSSS_02.jpg)
Courtesy NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Craters near the edge of the retreating south polar seasonal frost cap often have fog in them, this time of year. This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) wide angle red image was acquired just a few days ago on July 13, 2003. It shows a crater, 36 km (22 mi) across, that is enveloped in fog. This picture was taken as a context frame for a high resolution view that was intended to show dunes on the floor of the crater. That high resolution view was frustrated by thick fog that hid the dunes from view. This wide angle context frame shows that winds from the lower right (southeast) were blowing over the crater, causing the fog to bunch up in a wavy, rippled pattern. Winds streaming off the polar cap toward the north create a variety of patterns in the fogs formed by water ice or vapor as the seasonal cap retreats during southern spring. This picture is located at 66.4°S, 208.6°W, sunlight illuminates the scene from the upper left (northwest).
Image Source: Malin Space Systems 2003/07/17 R07-00964
Wave Clouds
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Wave_Cloud_Viking.gif)
Courtesy © 1998 by Calvin J. Hamilton
Image taken by the Viking spacecraft. Wave clouds usually occur at the lee of a large obstacle. They are often found at the edge of the polar cap, and in the Tharsis and Lunae Planum regions of Mars.
Dust Storms on Mars
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Dust_Plume_Viking_02.gif)
Courtesy © 1998 by Calvin J. Hamilton
Image taken by the Viking spacecraft. This is an example of a dust plume in the Solis Planum region. This image was taken during the springtime for this region. Plumes are found primarily in the southern hemisphere, in highlands such as Syrtis Major and in elevated regions such as Tharsis. (Click image for larger view)
Planet Gobbling Dust Storms on Mars
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Dust_Storms_01.jpg)
Image credit: NASA/JPL
July 16, 2001
Mariner 9 arrived at Mars in 1971 -- the first spacecraft to orbit the Red Planet. Scientists were anxious to study the crisp new pictures it was expected to send back. Much of Mars had never been seen in any detail, and Mariner 9 would lift the veil at last.
Their feelings must have been mixed indeed when the first images arrived at mission control and revealed .... a world-wide haze. The surface of the entire planet was hidden by the biggest dust storm anyone had ever seen! Only Olympus Mons, a giant volcano 24 kilometers high, peeked above the clouds.
After a month the dust settled and Mariner 9 mapped the Red Planet with great success. Scientists have since learned that huge dust storms, dwarfing desert dust clouds on Earth, are fairly common on Mars. The Mariner 9 event still holds the record as the thickest and longest-lasting we have observed -- but perhaps not for long.
(http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Mars4/Weather/Mars_Dust_Storm_Viking.jpeg)
Image credit: Viking NASA/JPL
Mars dust storm viewed from orbit, note craters with snowy rims.
If there is volcaic activity and ice then there is likely liquid water. If there was even microbial life in the past then I'd suggest there is extremophile type life still present on Mars.
I don't have proof but there is circumstantial evidence like Methane.
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/79700000/jpg/_79700545_79700544.jpg)
QuoteBased on photochemical models and on the current understanding of the composition of the Martian atmosphere, methane has a chemical lifetime of about 300-600 years, which is very short on geological time scales. This implies that the methane that is observed today cannot have been produced 4.5 billion years ago, when the planets formed. So what can explain the presence of this gas on the Red Planet?
One possibility is a biological origin. The discovery of microbial life 2 to 3 kilometres beneath the surface of the Witwatersrand basin in South Africa led scientists to consider that similar organisms could live, or have lived in the past, below the permafrost layer on Mars. By analogy with Earth, the biological origin of Martian methane could be explained by the existence of micro-organisms, called methanogenes, existing deep under the surface, and producing methane as a result of their metabolism.
http://exploration.esa.int/mars/46038-methane-on-mars/