Mars Student Imaging Project �

I. Introduction �

Question and Hypothesis�

!   Why is the north polar ice cap on Mars bigger than the southern?�

!   We think that because Mars tilts on its axis, the temperature is affected.�

!   Our other hypothesis is that the mineral composition affects how much melts at a time and how much will stay frozen.�

WHY???�

!   We think that it is interesting and important because there is a sufficient amount of ice on each pole which, at the correct temperature, could supply water for living beings. �

II. Background�

We already know...�

!   The tilt of Mars’ axis affects the temperature.�

!   Mars is farther from Earth and is much colder.�

!   The ice caps are permanent �

!   The south is made of carbon dioxide and water ice and is much thinner, while the north is thicker and made of water ice.�

References�

•  Space a Visual Encyclopedia: ISBN Number 978-0-7566-7004-7 �

•  http://cmex.ihmc.us/sitecat/sitecat2/mars.htm �

•  http://www.space.com/16903-mars-atmosphere-climate-weather.html �

This is an image showing the thickness of the north polar ice cap taken by the Shallow Radar Instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This shows that the ice is thicker than in the south. It is about the same shape as Antartica.�

This is an image showing the thickness of the south polar ice cap taken by the European Space Agency’s Express. This is thinner than the north.�

This a Themis image of the South Pole�

This is a Themis image of the North Pole�

Picture References�

•  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/multimedia/cap-20080515.html �

•  http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/mars/ �

•  http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20041028a �

•  http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20041028a �

On Earth�

•  We know that on Earth, our polar ice caps differ in size throughout the seasons.�

•  They were originally formed during an ice age. They have been there ever since.�

III. Experiment Design �

Cameras and Spacecraft �•  We will need images from...�

•  THEMIS night IR on board the Odyssey Spacecraft because it shows temperature better.�

•  CTX, aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, because it gets images where the THEMIS VIS images can’t be found.�

•  TES on board the Mars Global Surveyor because it has mineral maps.�

Geographic feature and Location �

•  We are going to be focusing on the north and south poles only.�

How Many??? �

•  We will need a total of 6...�

•  Two from each of the three cameras, one of the north and one of the south.�

Tables�

•  On our tables, we will include...�

•  Image ID number so we know what we are looking at �

•  Sizing so we have an idea of how big it is�

•  Spacecraft and Camera used�

IV. Analysis Plan �

Table A.�North Polar

ice cap!South Polar

Ice cap!Temperature (average)!Chemical makeup!Size!

Table B.�Image ID (#) Sizing Camera

used

Graphs �

Size�Temperature�

V. Conclusion �

Question and Hypothesis�

!   Why is the north polar ice cap on Mars bigger than the southern?�

!   We think that because Mars tilts on its axis, the temperature is affected.�

!   Our other hypothesis is that the mineral composition affects how much melts at a time and how much will stay frozen.�

WHY???�

!   We think that it is interesting and important because there is a sufficient amount of ice on each pole which, at the correct temperature, could supply water for living beings. �

VI.References�

References�•  Space: A Visual Encyclopedia: ISBN Number:

978-0-7566-7004-7�

•  http://cmex.ihmc.us/sitecat/sitecat2/mars.htm �• 

http://www.space.com/16903-mars-atmosphere-climate-weather.html�

•  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/multimedia/cap-20080515.html �

•  http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/mars/ �•  http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20041028a �•  http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20041028a �