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Radar evidence of subglacial liquid water on Mars

Journal
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
•
Lauro, S. E.
•
Pettinelli, E.
•
•
Coradini, M.
•
Cosciotti, B.
•
Di Paolo, F.
•
Flamini, E.
•
Mattei, E.
•
•
Soldovieri, F.
•
•
Cassenti, F.
•
•
•
Martufi, R.
•
Masdea, A.
•
Mitri, G.
•
Nenna, C.
•
•
Restano, M.
•
Seu, R.
DOI
Abstract
The presence of liquid water at the base of the martian polar caps has long been suspected but not observed. We surveyed the Planum Australe region using the MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) instrument, a low-frequency radar on the Mars Express spacecraft. Radar profiles collected between May 2012 and December 2015 contain evidence of liquid water trapped below the ice of the South Polar Layered Deposits. Anomalously bright subsurface reflections are evident within a well-defined, 20-kilometer-wide zone centered at 193°E, 81°S, which is surrounded by much less reflective areas. Quantitative analysis of the radar signals shows that this bright feature has high relative dielectric permittivity (>15), matching that of water-bearing materials. We interpret this feature as a stable body of liquid water on Mars.
Volume
361
Issue
6401
Start page
490
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0036-8075
Ads BibCode
2018Sci...361..490O
Rights
open.access
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