Mars MAVEN arrival: U-M scientists available for comment

September 16, 2014
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EXPERTS ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR—Planetary scientists at the University of Michigan are available to discuss the Mars MAVEN mission as well as the history and future of robotic exploration of Mars. MAVEN, which stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, is on track to reach the red planet Sept. 21.

It’s the first craft to study Mars’ upper atmosphere. Scientists hope to gain insights into how Mars evolved from a relatively warm, wet world to the cold desert it is today. The escape of its atmosphere is thought to have played a role.

Stephen Bougher, research professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, is a co-investigator on the mission. He will estimate how fast neutral gases and ions are escaping Mars’ atmosphere. Bougher says MAVEN could tell us about the evolution of our own planet’s atmosphere. “The comparative study of planets—especially Venus, Earth and Mars—helps us understand how the Earth changed over time to eventually support life, while Venus and Mars apparently did not. As we answer why Mars’ climate is different, it may give us ideas about why our climate here on the Earth is ideal and how to avoid damaging our climate in the future,” he said. Watch video interview: http://bit.ly/1s4VGAc. Contact: (734) 647-3585, bougher@umich.edu

Michael Combi, research professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, will use the spacecraft’s data to model the amount of oxygen in Mars upper atmosphere—a signature of how much water is present throughout the planet. In order to study how the planet changed over the past four million years, scientists can rewind models like the one he’ll contribute to. “We want to understand how planets evolve and how long a planet that size and location can keep a watery surface,” he said. “Mars is more like Earth like than any other planet. We see evidence of dried up lake or ocean beds. There are similar processes that have gone on there.” Contact: (734) 764-7226, mcombi@umich.edu

Nilton Renno, professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, is not involved in MAVEN, but has studied Mars as part of missions including Phoenix and Curiosity. He can discuss the history and future of Mars research, as well as water on Mars. Renno is on the advisory board that chose the next Mars robotic mission, the InSight lander, which will study the deep interior of the planet. Contact: (734) 936-0488, nrenno@umich.edu

 

NOTE: A MAVEN arrival party will be held 8-10:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in Room 2246 of the Space Research Building at 2455 Hayward St. in Ann Arbor. Professor Stephen Bougher will discuss the MAVEN mission and Professor Nilton Renno will talk about the upcoming InSight lander mission.