Nasa funding research on melting Swedish glaciers
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Loading... - Callum Mitchell
- 27 Aug 2024
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NASA is funding a research initiative focused on the melting glaciers in the Kebnekaise mountain range of northern Sweden, aiming to draw parallels with the climate history of Mars. This research is being led by Alicia Rutledge, an assistant research professor at Northern Arizona University, who noted that the glaciers in this arctic region bear a striking resemblance to those found on the Red Planet.
The primary objective of this research is to unravel how Mars' climate has evolved over time. By studying the melting patterns and geological formations of these Swedish glaciers, scientists hope to gain insights into the ancient climate conditions of Mars and the processes that led to its current state. This, in turn, could enhance our understanding of climate change on Earth, as the two planets share certain climatic processes despite their vastly different environments.
The research is part of a broader effort by NASA to better understand planetary climates, using Earth as a natural laboratory to draw conclusions about other worlds in our solar system. Insights gained from studying the Kebnekaise glaciers could provide valuable data to support ongoing and future missions to Mars, where understanding past climates is crucial for interpreting the planet's geological history and its potential to have supported life.
