Exposed water ice discovered near the south pole of Mars
January 1, 2003
The Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) has discovered water ice exposed near the edge of Mars' southern perennial polar cap. The surface H2O ice was first observed by THEMIS as a region that was cooler than expected for dry soil at that latitude during the summer season. Diurnal and seasonal temperature trends derived from Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer observations indicate that there is H2O ice at the surface. Viking observations, and the few other relevant THEMIS observations, indicate that surface H2O ice may be widespread around and under the perennial CO2 cap.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Title | Exposed water ice discovered near the south pole of Mars |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1080497 |
| Authors | Timothy N. Titus, Hugh H. Kieffer, Phillip R. Christensen |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Science |
| Index ID | 70025908 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Astrogeology Science Center |