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Seeking Mars in Perth and the Pilbara
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Mars 'Remains in Embryonic State'
Mars formed in record time, growing to its present size in a mere three million years, more quickly than scientists previously thought.
Its rapid formation could explain why the Red Planet is about one tenth the mass of Earth.
The study supports a 20-year-old theory that Mars remained small because it avoided collisions with planetary building material.
The new finding is published in the journal Nature.
In our early Solar System, well before planets had formed, a frisbee-shaped cloud of gas and dust encircled the Sun.
Scientists believe that the planets grew from material pulled together by electrostatic charges - the same force that's behind the "dust bunnies" under your bed.
These proto-planetary dust balls grew and grew until they formed what scientists term "embryo" planets.
These rocky masses were large enough to exert a considerable gravitational force on surrounding material,...
Dr Vadim Gushin & Dr Chris McKay Keynote Speakers at AMEC2011
Aussies Join MDRS Crew 104
MSA Directors David Willson and Dr Jonathan Clarke are currently participating in the 104th Crew rotation at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. The seven person crew comprises Dr Carol Stoker (mission leader), Dr Jonathan Clarke, David Willson, Jhony Zavaleta, Sarah Thompson, Luisa Rodrigues and Julio Valdiva Silva. Crew 104's objectives are to test an automated drilling system, and a manually operated "backpackable" drill system, using them to collect scientific drill cores in the context of a human exploration mission scenario, and to extend and infill geological and biological data collected during crews 83 and 92 to MDRS last season.
Read more including daily mission reports here.
MSA Calls upon Australian Youth for Inspiration
MSA Invites Teachers to Attend Spaceward Bound Australia’s 2011 Pilbara Expedition
AMEC2011 Registrations and Call for Papers is Now Open
Find out more at the AMEC2011 homepage.
Mars or Bust ... Well Mojave for Starters!
Read more here.
Mars Discussions at the WA Science & Engineering Summer School
Read more here.
MSA Invites Teachers to Attend Spaceward Bound Australia’s 2011 Pilbara Expedition
The Mars Society Australia offers Science teachers and graduate students an opportunity to join with NASA and MSA scientists on a field expedition to the Pilbara. Running between the 8th and 24th of July 2011, (during school holidays) it will involve participants examining fossil sites recording the early emergence of life of Earth, and also areas of tourist interest for the “Dawn Of Life Trail” near Marble Bar. Participants will also take part in the 11th Australian Mars Exploration Conference (AMEC2011) at the University of Western Australia at the end of the expedition. The cost per person will be between $1800 and $2200, includes camping equipment, fully catered expedition and transport from the start to the end of the expedition. These costs also include the registration fee for AMEC2011. Full details of these items will be available by end of May. These activities may be used for professional learning renewal for their college or teacher registration with listing the 40 hours...