On Earth, there’s a plethora of variables driving environmental change, from natural processes to the activities of humans. While Mars is most similar to Earth of all the known extraterrestrial worlds, its climate is still extremely different from our watery abode. The recent discovery of ice on the red planet’s surface has given us a new climate driver to study. Understanding the behavior and history of ice on Mars will give us an ever increasing understanding of our neighbor’s climate.
The Mars-Ice project is a joint project between the USGS Astrogeology Research Program (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facility (Tempe, AZ) to bring together a single resource for the exploration of martian ices. Much of this research is done at the USGS Flagstaff Science Center.
The North Pole
Like Earth, the polar regions are excellent areas to find ice. Click here to read more about research in the North Pole region on Mars.
The South Pole
There is a great deal of information on the South Pole thanks to the Mars Polar Lander. Click here to read about the data collected and subsequent research.
The Tharsis Region
The Tharsis region is located approximately between -30° to 60° latitude and 210° and 270° longitude. This area encompasses four major volcanoes: Olympus, Ascraeus, Pavonis, and Arsia Mons. Frost formation on the highest portions of these peaks make this area important in the study of Mars ice.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
SP Recession
SP Cryptic Region
South Pole
Consortium Meetings
Mars Ice
Mars Ice Consortium
- Overview
Why Study Ice on Mars?
On Earth, there’s a plethora of variables driving environmental change, from natural processes to the activities of humans. While Mars is most similar to Earth of all the known extraterrestrial worlds, its climate is still extremely different from our watery abode. The recent discovery of ice on the red planet’s surface has given us a new climate driver to study. Understanding the behavior and history of ice on Mars will give us an ever increasing understanding of our neighbor’s climate.
The Mars-Ice project is a joint project between the USGS Astrogeology Research Program (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facility (Tempe, AZ) to bring together a single resource for the exploration of martian ices. Much of this research is done at the USGS Flagstaff Science Center.
The North Pole
Like Earth, the polar regions are excellent areas to find ice. Click here to read more about research in the North Pole region on Mars.
The South Pole
There is a great deal of information on the South Pole thanks to the Mars Polar Lander. Click here to read about the data collected and subsequent research.
The Tharsis Region
The Tharsis region is located approximately between -30° to 60° latitude and 210° and 270° longitude. This area encompasses four major volcanoes: Olympus, Ascraeus, Pavonis, and Arsia Mons. Frost formation on the highest portions of these peaks make this area important in the study of Mars ice.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
SP Recession
TES Observations of the South PoleT.N. Titus (Oak Ridge Associated Universities), H.H. Kieffer, K.F. Mullins (U.S. Geological Survey)he recession of the south polar cap has been observed telescopically and from spacecraft in both the visible and thermal regions. Although a simple cap-edge versus time plot has commonly been used, without regard as to the longitude of measurement, Mariner 9, Viking...SP Cryptic Region
Kieffer, H.H., Titus, T.N., Mullins, K.F., Becker, K., Johnson, J., Christensen, P.The early part of the Mars Global Surveyor mission provided good TES coverage of the Mars south polar region.South Pole
Jets on MarsNature, August 2006. CO2 Jets on Mars: Scientists have now found a better explanation for the dark spots and fans found on the south polar region of Mars. These spots, which can cover tens of square kilometers, are visible in the cryptic region. Originally, it was suggested that the spots were soil, exposed after early defrosting of the polar ice. However, an intensive new study with...Consortium Meetings
Consortium MeetingsConsortium hosted meetings will be listed below. If you would like to attend any of these meetings, please be sure to register. Should your plans change after you register, you may simply reregister with your changes detailed appropriately.Please follow these links to view summaries of past consortium hosted workshops.Mars Ice
The Mars-Ice project is a joint project between the USGS Astrogeology Research Program (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facilty (Tempe, AZ) to bring together a single resource for the exploration of martian ices. Much of this research is done at the USGS Flagstaff Science Center.Mars Ice Consortium
The Mars Ice Consortium is a joint project between the USGS Astrogeology Research Program (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facilty (Tempe, AZ) to bring together a single resource for the exploration of martian ices. Much of this research is done at the USGS Flagstaff Science Center.