Water on Mars and Life

Lee Baker, Ian A. Franchi, Ian P. Wright (auth.), Tetsuya Tokano (eds.)9783540206248, 3-540-20624-8

Growing evidence, based on observations from orbiters, landers and telescopes, indicates that Mars may still have numerous hidden water reservoirs. Moreover, from the point of view of habitability, Mars is a prime target for astrobiologists in search of extant or extinct microbial life because we know that life exists in earth’s permafrost regions, such as parts of Siberia and the Antarctic, which are the closest terrestrial analogues to Mars. “Water on Mars and Life” surveys recent advances made in research into water on Mars together with its astrobiological implications. This volume addresses not only scientists working in the field but also nonspecialists and students in search of a high-level but accessible introduction to this exciting field of research.

Table of contents :
1 The Origins of Martian Water: What We Can Learn from Meteorites….Pages 3-24
2 Atmospheric Evolution and the History of Water on Mars….Pages 25-43
3 Early Life on Earth and Analogies to Mars….Pages 45-64
4 Hydrated Minerals on Mars….Pages 65-96
5 Global Distribution of Subsurface Water Measured by Mars Odyssey….Pages 99-128
6 Polar Caps….Pages 129-153
7 Ground Ice in the Martian Regolith….Pages 155-189
8 Water Cycle in the Atmosphere and Shallow Subsurface….Pages 191-216
9 Polar Lakes, Streams, and Springs as Analogs for the Hydrological Cycle on Mars….Pages 219-233
10 Ancient and Recent Lakes on Mars….Pages 235-259
11 Impact Craters, Water and Microbial Life….Pages 261-275
12 Microbial Life in Brines, Evaporites and Saline Sediments: The Search for Life on Mars….Pages 277-297
13 Microbiology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents: Lessons for Mars Exploration….Pages 299-324