Geographers Needed for ‘Marsography’!
Savanna McGuirk
Geographer, Mars Society of Australia / Australian National University
Mars is the closest planet in the solar system to Earth.
In the past, liquid water has flowed across its surface. Now water exists in some places as shallow pools of brine, as ice at the poles, and as permafrost under the surface.
In photos from the Mars rovers, satellite and other imagery, we can see the what’s on the surface of Mars. River channels, glacial valleys and sand dunes are just some of the obvious landforms. Most imagery, photos and information on Mars are publicly available with free software such as Google Mars.
If rivers, alluvial fans, glaciers and other features can be identified on the surface of Mars, it will help to reconstruct the environmental history of the planet. Geographers could certainly help to imagine/construct a picture of what Mars looked like when there was water on the surface.
Nirgal Vallis, south of the eastern part of Valles Marineris, superficially resembles a river-cut valley on Earth. Click on the image to see a larger version. (Image credit: NASA)
With the spatial and technical skills to create maps, geographers are well placed to interpret and map the surface of Mars. Through the journey of mapping unfamiliar and unknown places, there are endless opportunities for discovery.
Imagine all the new ideas and technique refinements which will be stimulated!
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