ESA - Results from Mars Express and Huygens - Mars Express evidence for large aquifers on early Mars

Media centre

Press Releases Information Notes ESA Television

Multimedia

ESA Multimedia gallery Mars Express images Cassini-Huygens images

Services

Portal terms of use

Article Images

Mars Express evidence for large aquifers on early Mars

30 November 2005

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPG (Size: 92 kb)

A HRSC 3D perspective view of Candor Chasma (in false colours) characterised by the infrared images of OMEGA. It shows bright and brown deposits (red markers) that are rich in the mineral kieserite, a hydrated magnesium sulphate.

Credits: ESA/OMEGA/HRSC

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPEG (Size: 92 kb)

In this HRSC 3D perspective view of the Marwth Vallis area (shades of grey), OMEGA has mapped the water-rich minerals (blue). No hydrated minerals or sediments have been detected, either in the channel or in its opening. However, the outflow was so violent as to erode and expose ancient hydrated clay-rich minerals, tracing an early era when water was present.

Credits: ESA/OMEGA/HRSC

Back to article

Download:

HI-RES JPG (Size: 53 kb)

The OMEGA instrument on Mars Express has shown that the violent outflows that sculpted the Marwth Vallis on Mars did not form nor flood with hydrated minerals (left). However, their erosion exposed ancient terrains in which hydrated clay minerals were detected, which trace back an early era with liquid water (right).

Credits: ESA/OMEGA/HRSC

At Saturn and Titan

Looking at Mars

Buried craters and underground ice -
Mars Express uncovers depths of Mars Mars Express radar reveals complex structure in ionosphere of Mars Mars Express discovers new layer in Martian ionosphere