Destination Mars

(AP) -- Two years ago, NASA took a chance and launched a new field of research christened "astrobiology" with a bold Nobel laureate at the helm and about $10 million for research.

This month, at the first ever Astrobiology Science Conference, NASA organizers were surprised when 600 scientists -- three times as many as expected -- showed up brimming with research papers, new ideas and enthusiasm about the questions of origins and evolution of life in the universe.

What do you think of the discovery of Mars meteorites on Earth? Do you think a human mission to Mars is near?

Marton ZSENEI - Sunday, 04/23/00, 8:14:28am (#1979 of 1980)

Impact volcanism on the Mars?

See the picture PIA02035 (Maps of the Mars Topography), site photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov On the picture there are three huge circular deep area. The centre of them and the opposite point of them on the planet as follows:

1. East 67, South 42-Opposite point E 247, N 42

2. E319, S48 - Opposite point E139, N48

3. E88, N14 - Opposite point E268, S14

What are in the opposite point or around them:

1. The hugest volcano of Mars

2. A huge volcano not very far away (E146, N25)

3. A big lava field near the Vallis Marineris

So my assumption is that these circular areas are huge impact craters and the impact involved caused the volcanism which formed those volcanos of magnitude of 18-25 km. What is your opinion?

Marton Zsenei

Marton ZSENEI - Sunday, 04/23/00, 12:57:08pm (#1980 of 1980)

Impact volcanism on Mars: Why on the opposite point of the planet?

A model of Mars: Inside a metalic core (the existance of magnetism supports the existance of core), a molten lava mantel and an elastic crust.

When a huge asteroid crashing through the crust into the molten lava mantel, a pressure wave will spread over the nucleus with a final velocity.

At the same time a shearing stress will be in the crust along the pressure gradient.

As the pressure wave homeing in on the opposing point, the surface can be taken as plain and say the foolowing:

The lifting force proportionale with circumference of the bordering circle and a const1 connected to the lifting stress. The counter-force proportionate with the area of the circle and a const2 expressing the weight of the crust of an area unit.

The relation of the forces:

(2*pi*r*const2)/(r-quadrat*pi*const1)

That suggests that a quasy circle part of the crust will be blown out at a certain r (radius) where the lava can flow out.

(End of Message List)

Post Your Opinion

To post a message, compose your text in the box below, then click on Post button (below) to send the message.

Please confine your comments to the topic at hand. Off-topic posts and posts that do not conform to our Discussion Standards will be removed without further comment.

You cannot rewrite history, but you will have one opportunity to make any changes or fixes after you post a message. Just click on the Edit button which follows your message in the preview page (This appears after you enter your message and click on the 'Post' button). Once your message has been posted, you will not have the ability to delete or edit your message.