The illusion of & # 39; water: scientists have discovered that the Martian satellite "bad"

90% & # 39; shooting Orbiter Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed to what is actually there.

The researchers found that some of the pixels 90% & # 39; shooting taken by the satellite & # 39; Mars Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show x & # 39; is actually there. The error was calculated after having found the best signs of & # 39; materials that absorb moisture on the surface of & # 39; Mars. They were not just a mirage: now scientists have serious doubts about the exact distribution of & # 39; water on the planet.

The Spectrometry of & # 39; Imaging & # 39; the Image & # 39; Research on the Tool & # 39; Tool to Mars, mounted on a satellite is the "eye in the sky" that will identify minerals on the planet's surface and places & # 39; accumulation of & # 39; water. The procedure is carried out by measuring the infrared waves and visible light, corresponding to different chemical structures, and then the data is distributed to pixels representing an area of ​​& # 39; diameter from 100 to 200 meters.

Pixels showing minerals such alunit, keseric, serpentine and perchlorate, most likely, fabricated filter, responding to various data peaks inevitably occur when switching between areas of sensors & # 39; intense light and shade. Team & # 39; intended researchers to explore the possible distribution of & # 39; salt perchlorate, which requires finishing the filtering process using the new algorithm. Finally, they found that about 0.05% of the pixels left the peaks to be seen as perchlorate.

Fortunately, in the case of most of the problem of minerals, there is little picture. After inspecting the same area using the & # 39; other tools, scientists saw that the minerals are mostly in their places. But regarding the perchlorate – only a small part was real. Can & # 39; be a serious problem.

The Martian atmosphere is too thin and cold water on the surface existed in & # 39; liquid form. But as a mixture with salt perchlorate its melting point can & # 39; is low enough remaining & # 39; a small amount of & # 39; liquid. Anyway, in theory.

After you discover the problem CRISM will determine exactly where on the surface of & # 39; Mars is a perchlorate. Since we are talking about only a few damaged pixels, existing maps flown, but not useless. In addition, the data received from the CRISM instrument, you & # 39; adjust by using other tools.