Smith PH, Tamppari LK, Arvidson RE, Bass D, Blaney D, Boynton WV, Carswell A, Catling DC, Clark BC, Duck T, Dejong E, Fisher D, Goetz W, Gunnlaugsson HP, Hecht MH, Hipkin V, Hoffman J, Hviid SF, Keller HU, Kounaves SP, Lange CF, Lemmon MT, Madsen MB, Markiewicz WJ, Marshall J, McKay CP, Mellon MT, Ming DW, Morris RV, Pike WT, Renno N, Staufer U, Stoker C, Taylor P, Whiteway JA, Zent AP
H2O at the Phoenix landing site. [Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.]
Science 2009 Jul 3; 325(5936):58-61.
The Phoenix mission investigated patterned ground and weather in the northern arctic region of Mars for 5 months starting 25 May 2008 (solar longitude between 76.5 degrees and 148 degrees ). A shallow ice table was uncovered by the robotic arm in the center and edge of a nearby polygon at depths of 5 to 18 centimeters. In late summer, snowfall and frost blanketed the surface at night; H(2)O ice and vapor constantly interacted with the soil. The soil was alkaline (pH = 7.7) and contained CaCO(3), aqueous minerals, and salts up to several weight percent in the indurated surface soil. Their formation likely required the presence of water.
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