Tests performed in a simulated cloud chamber here on Earth have revealed that Martian clouds may contain less water than previously estimated. Like some clouds above Earth, the Martian clouds being studied are also made of water ice. These clouds form at very low temperatures, sometimes below -100°C (-212°F). Scientists found that it was much more difficult for clouds to form at these temperatures, much harder than initially thought. In this laboratory simulation, the particles composing the clouds were quite large and quickly fell out of the atmosphere, resulting in less cloud mass and a drier atmosphere. It was previously thought that Martian clouds would form at 100% humidity, but this study shows that the air must be more supersaturated with water for clouds to form. This experiment provides insight into the climate of Mars and the operation of the Martian water cycle. It is know that the amount of water in the Martian atmosphere varies greatly over space and time. The amount of water that is transferred from the North Pole to the South Pole largely depends on atmospheric clouds.

Spirit Breaks Free

In the struggle to reach a winter location Spirit has managed one victory. Spirit broke free of some piles of soil that build up around the wheels. The Spirit still has a long struggle ahead trying to get to Winter Haven 3. It will go across the rocky and sandy terrain of Home Plate. This breaking free of the soil is significant because the last two drives only measured in centimeters while this drive was 11 feet. Good Job Spirit!

Mars and the search for traces of life- interviews

This article contains some of the most intellectuals individuals pertaining to Mars and the future of Mars exploration. It correlates features and land forms with possible life forms and provides different explanations for similar formations.

Geological features of Mars: a visual tour

This link from http://www.space.com/ provides a image slideshow of various geological features that have been discovered on the surface of Mars. It's pretty neat. Photos include..

* a picture of a crater with frozen ice inside

* Surface temperatures in the Rabe Crater

*Happy Crater

*Victoria Crater

*The caldera of Olympus Mons

*an impact crater

*Gusev Crater with salty lake

These photos give you a great tour of some famous Martian landmarks. The photos are all pretty good quality and a small description is provided.

Spirit suffers setbacks

Spirit is currently en route to its ‘Winter Haven’ on the north face of the Home Plate feature on the surface of Mars. The rover has unsuccessfully tried to navigate across a hummock of elevated terrain in order to reach the Winter Haven. It is critical that Spirit reaches Winter Haven while enough solar energy is available, and the rover has been spending every day driving rather than collecting data. In navigating the hummock, the rover slipped backwards 11.8 feet and scientists are currently strategizing the best possible route for Spirit. Once Spirit navigates this challenge, it will continue to collect data and geological information in the Home Plate area until the sunlight becomes too weak to sustain the solar panels.

The graben of Noctis Labrinthus

The High-resolution sterio camera continues to take detailed pictures of the Martian surface. Recently, the camera captured the region of Noctis Labrinthus, located on the western edge of the Valles Marineris (the Grand Canyon of Mars). The Noctis Labrinthus is an example of a ‘complex graben-system.’ This type of feature is formed by the action of extensional tectonics. Long ago, intense volcanic activity in the Tharsis region resulted in the creation of a bulge, which strained the tectonic plates. Thus, the surface crust thinned out, forming the graben structure that is visible today. A graben is typically a long, trench-like feature that is bordered by fault lines. (Fracture lines are clearly visible on the photo).

studying mars in your own back yard

Arizona State University planetary geologist Ron Greeley, Ph.D., has found one thing in common between Snake River Plain, Mars, Earth’s moon, Mercury, Venus, and Io (moon of Jupiter), He calls it “Plains Style Volcanism” which means the geology make up of the area is characterized by low shield volcanoes with broad, gentle slopes built by the eruption of basalt lava. He is using the Snake River Plain to find similarities between Mars and Earth.