Monday, September 17, 2012

The Weather Outside Is Frightful: Snow Discovered Falling on Mars




It would appear that Martians can get into the Christmas spirit after scientists have discovered snow falling on the Red Planet!

A spacecraft orbiting Mars has detected  snow comprised of carbon dioxide falling on the planet, making it the only body in the solar system known to host this strange weather phenomenon—that scientists are aware of as of now.

The snow was detected falling on the planet's south pole during the Martian winter by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) between 2006-2007 but was only recently discovered by scientists sifting through the voluminous amounts of information collected by the satellite. The planet's south pole maintains a frozen carbon dioxide ice cap year round.

The incredible find means that Mars actually experiences two different types of the powder stuff. In 2008, NASA's Phoenix lander observed snow comprised of water and ice—which we earthlings are quite familiar with —falling near the planet's north pole.

No word if any billionaire adventurer is planning on installing a ski resort on the lonely planet...


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