Oxygen on mars
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Oxygen on Mars: Detection, Production, and Potential for Life
Detection of Molecular Oxygen on Mars
Spectroscopic Evidence of Molecular Oxygen
Molecular oxygen (O₂) has been detected in the Martian atmosphere through spectroscopic analysis. The detection was made using lines in the 7620 Å A-band, with weak lines in the wings of strong terrestrial atmospheric oxygen transitions showing equivalent widths of 2 to 4 mÅ2. The column abundance of molecular oxygen in the clear Martian atmosphere is approximately 10.4 ± 1.0 centimeters amagat, resulting in a mixing ratio of molecular oxygen to carbon dioxide of 1.3 x 10⁻³1. This indicates a net source of oxygen relative to carbon, likely from water, in the Martian atmosphere1.
Hot Oxygen Corona
Mars has a hot oxygen corona formed by the electron dissociative recombination of ionospheric O₂⁺ ions. This corona is denser than that of Venus at altitudes above 2000 km due to Mars' weaker gravitational pull3. Observations from the MAVEN mission have confirmed the presence of this hot oxygen corona, providing valuable data for understanding atmospheric escape processes9.
Oxygen Production on Mars
Solid Oxide Electrolysis
One promising method for producing oxygen on Mars involves solid oxide electrolysis, which extracts oxygen from the carbon dioxide-rich Martian atmosphere. This process has been experimentally validated using planar solid oxide electrochemical cells4. The Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) is a NASA initiative that aims to demonstrate this technology on Mars. MOXIE is designed to produce over 99.6% pure oxygen and is being tested to ensure safe and efficient operation on the Martian surface5.
Non-Equilibrium Plasmas
Another method for oxygen production on Mars involves the use of non-equilibrium plasmas. This approach has been highlighted as a viable option for creating oxygen from the Martian atmosphere, complementing the solid oxide electrolysis method8.
Potential for Life
Oxygen Levels and Habitability
Recent studies suggest that Mars could have enough molecular oxygen to support aerobic life forms, such as microbes and simple organisms like sponges. This is based on the possibility of oxygen being dissolved in salty water, which could exist just beneath the Martian surface10. The Martian atmosphere currently contains about 0.15% oxygen, produced when sunlight interacts with CO₂10. While this is significantly lower than Earth's 21% oxygen, localized environments with higher oxygen concentrations could potentially support life.
MAVEN Mission Insights
The MAVEN mission has provided critical data on the abundance and distribution of atomic oxygen in Mars' upper atmosphere. The exobase density of atomic oxygen varies with the solar zenith angle and shows significant seasonal changes, with higher densities near perihelion compared to aphelion7. These findings help in understanding the potential for oxygen availability and its implications for habitability.
Conclusion
The detection and production of oxygen on Mars are crucial for future exploration and the potential for sustaining life. Spectroscopic evidence confirms the presence of molecular oxygen, while innovative technologies like solid oxide electrolysis and non-equilibrium plasmas offer promising methods for in-situ oxygen production. Additionally, the possibility of oxygen-rich environments beneath the Martian surface opens new avenues for the search for life. Continued research and missions like MAVEN are essential for advancing our understanding of Mars' atmosphere and its capacity to support human and microbial life.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Detection of Molecular Oxygen on Mars
Molecular oxygen was detected on Mars, suggesting a net source of oxygen relative to carbon (probably water) in the atmosphere.
Highly CitedOn a hot oxygen corona of Mars
A hot oxygen corona could form on Mars, similar to Venus, with denser density at altitudes >2000 km due to weaker surface gravitational attraction.
Highly CitedOxygen Production on Mars Using Solid Oxide Electrolysis
Solid oxide electrolysis can produce oxygen from Mars' carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, potentially saving launch mass and costs for manned and unmanned missions.
Highly CitedSimulating oxygen production on Mars for the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment
MOXIE, a Mars oxygen experiment, is being developed for the 2020 Mars Rover and a dynamic model has been developed to simulate its operation and predict its performance, avoiding unsafe conditions.
MAVEN insights into oxygen pickup ions at Mars
MAVEN's SEP instrument detects oxygen pickup ions at Mars, created by photoionization, charge exchange with solar wind protons, and electron impact, which are accelerated downstream by the solar wind.
Mars Upper Atmospheric Temperature and Atomic Oxygen Density Derived from the O i 130.4 nm Emission Observed by NASA’s MAVEN Mission
The Mars upper atmosphere shows a decrease in atomic oxygen density with solar zenith angle, with densities near perihelion being higher than those near aphelion, and the exobase temperature not significantly changing from 0° to 60°.
Comment on ‘The case for in situ resource utilization for oxygen production on Mars by non-equilibrium plasmas’
This paper demonstrates that oxygen production on Mars using non-equilibrium plasmas is viable and highlights the need for further research on the potential of this technology.
MAVEN IUVS observation of the hot oxygen corona at Mars
The MAVEN IUVS instrument has successfully observed the hot oxygen corona at Mars, providing valuable data for understanding the planet's climatic evolution and atmospheric escape processes.
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