It's snowing on Mars

[klwilliams]

The snow is melting before it lands on the ground. Is this cool or what?

Comments

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's AWESOME.

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

Actually, if it's melting, that sounds kind of warm. For Mars. :-)

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

They didn't say what the composition of the snow was (though I do assume water).

[ermine-rat.livejournal.com]

just like Disneyland...

[lifeofglamour.livejournal.com]

LOL! Mars - Just Like Disneyland!

[martianfencer.livejournal.com]

It sublimates, actually -- that is, it goes directly from ice to vapor, rather than melting, just like frozen CO2 does on the surface of earth.

And yes, it's water ice.

And yes, it's *extremely* cool. There appear to be extant ice packs on crater walls in various parts of Mars, and some people have argued that they formed from snowfall, while others scoffed at the idea that snow could have happened in the last many million years. This certainly changes that argument!

[aastg.livejournal.com]

That must mean Mars is just like the Bay Area! Sweet!

[larryhammer]

Virga!

---L.

[helblonde.livejournal.com]

I read that at work. It is sooooo cool.

sigh. I do wish that my colleagues shared my love of science.

[janni.livejournal.com]

Wow!

[darcyjavanne.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, that is so cool!!!!!!!!