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A close-up view of Mars from orbiting spacecraft

A close-up view of Mars from orbiting spacecraft. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in orbit at Mars. What did we learn from spacecraft visits from 1971-2000?. But first…Life on Mars?. Viking biological laboratories to search for microbes. Three independent experiments

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A close-up view of Mars from orbiting spacecraft

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  1. A close-up view of Mars from orbiting spacecraft The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in orbit at Mars

  2. What did we learn from spacecraft visits from 1971-2000?

  3. But first…Life on Mars? • Viking biological laboratories to search for microbes. Three independent experiments • 2 said no, one said yes • The majority view of scientists is that the result was negative (majority, but not unanimous)

  4. Spacecraft finding #1 - the north-south asymmetry

  5. Finding #2: The volcanos of Mars: Olympus Mons Notice smooth, uncratered Slopes of mountain

  6. The size of Olympus Mons

  7. Valles Marineris…Grand Canyon of Mars

  8. Valles Marineris

  9. Valles Marineris…the view of a future astronaut

  10. With modern technology, we can use spacecraft data to generate our own personal tour of the surface of Mars A trip through Valles Marineris

  11. The most important finding of orbital studies of Mars: apparent water channels

  12. A startling discovery…the new canals of Mars

  13. Two types of channels: Valley networks Close-up view

  14. Second type: outflow channels

  15. Where are water channels formed? Does anyone see any patterns?networks found on oldest parts of Mars

  16. A case of particular interest: Gusev crater

  17. Gusev Crater: the view from the surface…more next time

  18. A question for the scholarly assembly: • Last time, said that the surface conditions of Mars did not allow liquid water • Now we see what are claimed to be water flow channels, like dry river beds in the southwest • What’s up?

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