Mars

Space objects: Mars

Mars - from Greek Mas - man's force - the god of war, in the Roman pantheon was esteemed as father of Roman people, the guardian of fields and herds, later - the patron of horse competitions.

Mars - the fourth planet of Solar system. The shining blood-red disk seen in a telescope, for certain scared the astronomer who has opened this planet. Therefore it and have named. And at satellites of Mars of the name corresponding - a Fobos and Deimos ("fear" and "horror").

Any of planets of Solar system does not draw so much attention and does not remain so mysterious. The "Silent" planet on the data "is more aggressive" to intrusion from the outside, than Venus - a planet with the severe constraints (among planets of the given group).

Many name Mars "a cradle of a great ancient civilization", others - is simple one more "dead" planet of Solar system.

"The red planet" To investigate Mars it is the most convenient when the Earth appears between it and the Sun. Such moments refer to as oppositions, they repeat each 26 months. Within that month when there is an opposition, and the next three months Mars crosses a meridian near midnight, it is seen during all night and sparkles as a star - 1-st star size, competing on shine with Venus and the Jove.

The orbit of Mars is rather strongly extended, therefore the distance from it up to the Earth from opposition to opposition strongly varies. If Mars gets in opposition with the Earth in aphelia, the distance between them exceeds 100 million kilometers. If opposition occurs under optimum conditions, in a perihelia´s of a Martian orbit, this distance decreases up to 56 million kilometers. Such "close" oppositions refer to great and repeat in 15-17 years. Last great opposition has taken place in 1988.

Mars the Earth has phases but as it is located further from the Sun, than, full change of phases at it (as well as other external planets) does not happen - maximal "damage" corresponds to a phase of the Moon three days prior to a full moon or after three days after it.

The axis of rotation of Mars is inclined concerning a plane of its orbit on 22 °, i.e. all on 1,5°lower, than the axis of rotation of the Earth is inclined to a plane of an ecliptic. Moving on an orbit, it serially substitutes to the Sun that southern, northern hemisphere. Therefore on Mars the same as and on the Earth, there is a revolution of the season, they only are pulled almost twice longer. And here Martian day differs from terrestrial a little: day there last 24h. 37 minutes.

Owing to small weight the gravity on Mars almost is three times lower, than on the Earth. Now the structure of a gravitational field of Mars is in details investigated. It specifies a small deviation from homogeneous distribution of density in a planet. The nucleus can have radius up to half of radius of a planet. Apparently, it will consist of pure iron or from alloy Fe-FeS (iron - sulfide of iron) and, probably, the hydrogen dissolved of them. Apparently, the nucleus of Mars in part or completely stays in a liquid condition.

Mars should have a powerful bark thickness of 70-100 km. Between a nucleus and a bark there is the silicate cloak enriched with iron. The red oxides of iron present in superficial breeds, determine color of a planet.

Now Mars continues to cool down. Seismic activity of a planet is weak.

The surface of Mars, at first sight, reminds lunar. However actually its relief differs the big variety. During a long geological history of Mars its surface was changed with eruptions of volcanoes and Mars quake. Deep scars on the person of the god of war were left with meteorites, a wind, water and ice.

The surface of a planet will consist as though of two contrast parts: the ancient high mountains covering a southern hemisphere, and younger plains concentrated in northern breadthes. Besides two large volcanic areas - Elysium and Farsida are allocated. The difference of heights between mountain and flat areas reaches 6 km. Why different areas so strongly differ from each other till now not clear. Probably, such division is connected to very old accident - falling to Mars a large asteroid.

The high-mountainous part has kept traces of the active meteoric bombardment happened about 4 billion years ago. Meteoric craters cover 2/3 surfaces of a planet. On old high mountains of them almost as much, how many on the Moon. But many Martian craters because of aeration had time " to lose the form ". Some of them, most likely, were once dim streams of water. Northern plains look completely differently. 4 billion years ago on them there was a set of meteoric craters, but then catastrophic event which it was already mentioned, has erased them from 1/3 surfaces of a planet and its relief in this area started to be formed anew. Separate meteorites fell there and later, but as a whole in the north it is not enough shock craters.

The shape of this hemisphere was determined with volcanic activity. Some of plains are entirely covered with the ancient cast out breeds. Streams of a liquid lava spread on a surface, stiffened, on them new streams flew. These hardened "rivers" are concentrated around of large volcanoes. On the endings of lava tongues the structures similar to terrestrial sedimentary breeds are observed. It is probable, when the heated cast out weights kindled layers of underground ice, on a surface of Mars extensive enough reservoirs which gradually dried up were formed. Interaction of a lava and underground ice has led also to occurrence numerous sulcuses and cracks. On low areas of northern hemisphere far from volcanoes sandy dunes reach. Especially it is a lot of them at northern polar cap.

The abundance of volcanic landscapes testifies that in the remote past Mars has gone through rough enough geological epoch, most likely it has ended about billion years ago. The most active processes occurred in areas the Elysium and the Farsida. In due time they have been literally squeezed out from bowels of Mars and now tower above its surface as grandiose swellings: the Elysium in height of 5 km, the Farsida - 10 km. Around of these swellings numerous breaks, cracks, crests - traces of old processes in a Martian bark are concentrated. The most grandiose system of canyons depth some kilometers - a valley of the Mariner - begins at top of mountains the Farsida and 4 thousand kilometers to the east lasts. In the central part of a valley its width achieves) several cells of kilometers. In the past when the atmosphere of Mars was more dense, in canyons water could flow down, creating in them deep lakes.

Volcanoes of Mars is the exclusive phenomena to terrestrial measures. But even among them the volcano Olympus located in northwest of mountains the Farsida is allocated. Diameter of the basis of this mountain achieves 550 km., and height - 27 km., i.e. it three times surpasses the Everest, the highest top of the Earth. Olympus is topped with a huge 60-kilometer crater. To the east from the highest part of mountains the Farsida other volcano - the Alba is found out. Though it cannot compete to Olympus on height, diameter of its basis almost three times is more.

These volcanic cones have arisen as a result of quiet outpourings very liquid lava similar on structure on a lava of terrestrial volcanoes of Hawaiian islands. Traces of volcanic ashes on slopes of other mountains allow to assume, that sometimes on Mars there were also catastrophic eruptions.

In the past the huge role in formation of a Martian relief was played with flowing water. At the first investigation phases Mars was represented astronomers by a deserted and waterless planet but when the surface of Mars managed to be photographed from close distance, appeared, that on old high mountains frequently would meet as if the gullies left by the current water. Some of them look so as if it is a lot of years back them have punched rough, prompt streams. They are pulled sometimes on many hundreds kilometers. The part of these "streamlets" possesses rather respectful age. Other valleys are very similar to channels of the quiet terrestrial rivers. The occurrence they, probably, are obliged to thawing of underground ice.

Atmosphere of Mars more rare fielded, than an air environment of the Earth. On structure it reminds an atmosphere of Venus and on 95 % will consist of carbonic gas. About 4 % falls at a share of nitrogen and argon. And water the pair in a Martian atmosphere is less than oxygen 1 %.

The average temperature on Mars is much lower, than on the Earth about -40°C. Under optimum conditions in the summer on a day time half of planet air gets warm up to 20°C - quite comprehensible temperature for inhabitants of the Earth. But at winter night the frost can reach-125°C. Such sharp temperature drops are caused by that a rarefied atmosphere of Mars are not capable to keep heat long.

Above a surface of a planet strong winds which speed reaches up to 100 m/sec frequently blow. The small gravity allows even to rarefied streams of air to lift huge clouds of a dust. Rather extensive areas on Mars are sometimes covered with grandiose dust storms. The global dust storm stormed since September 1971 till January 1972., having lifted in an atmosphere on height more than 10 km about billion tons of a dust.

Water the pair in an atmosphere of Mars is not enough, but at low pressure and temperature it is in a condition close to saturation, and frequently gathers in clouds. Martian clouds are rather inexpressive in comparison with terrestrial though have various forms and kinds: plumose, wavy, leeward (near to large mountains and under slopes of the big craters, in places protected from a wind). Above lowlands, canyons, valleys - and at the bottom of craters during cold time of day fogs frequently stand.

Revolution of the season on Mars occurs the same as on the Earth. Most brightly seasonal changes are shown in polar areas. During winter time polar caps borrow the significant area. The border of northern polar cap can leave from a pole on third of distance of equator, and the border of a southern cap overcomes half of this distance. Such difference is caused by that in northern hemisphere the winter comes when Mars passes through a perihelia´s of the orbit, and in southern - when through an aphelia (i.e. during the maximal distance from the Sun). Because of it the winter in a southern hemisphere is colder, than in northern.

With approach of spring the polar cap starts decrease, reserving gradually disappearing islands of ice. Apparently, any of caps does not disappear completely. Prior to the beginning of researches of Mars by means of interplanetary probes it was supposed, that its polar areas are covered with the stiffened water. More exact researches have found out in structure of Martian ice also frozen carbonic gas. In the summer it evaporates and acts in an atmosphere. Winds transfer it to an opposite polar cap where it again freezes. This circulation of carbonic gas and in the different sizes of polar caps inconstancy of pressure of a Martian atmosphere speaks. As a whole at a surface it makes approximately 0,006 pressure of a terrestrial atmosphere, but can rise and up to 0,01.

"Fear" and "Horror" in an orbit.

" ... Besides they have opened two small stars, or two satellites addressing about Mars. Nearest of them is removed from the center of this planet on the distance equal to its three diameters, the second is from it on distance of five same diameters ". These are lines from Dzhonatana Swift's novel about adventures of the Gulliver, they have been written in 1726 when anybody did not see satellites of Mars even in telescopes, let alone rather precisely to predict parameters of these heavenly ph. So, Swift has guessed a cycle time of one of satellites of Mars to within one quarter, and another - up to 40 percent.

By the way, Swift was not the unique great writer of XVIII century who "has opened" satellites of Mars. Francois Mari Volter - the master of thoughts of a brilliant century of Education, composing in 1752. the fantastic story "Micromegas", too has mentioned " two moon of Mars ". But for a moment, without those details which were listed by Swift, as unique "proof" such reason serves: one moon would be insufficiently to shine at night planet so far from the Sun!

However up to original, instead of to mankind the hundred and fifty of years, up to 1877. which became really "Martian" was necessary to wait for "science-fiction" opening of satellites of Mars still. Giovanni Skiaparelli at this time has literally put on legs all astronomical world, having informed about existence on the Red planet of "channels" and "seas". This " a Martian fever " had under herself and an objective basis: 1877 year was year of great opposition at which Mars and the Earth very close approach to each other. Such favorable conditions skilled astronomer Esaf a Hall (1829-1907), considerable authority which has already deserved to as one of the best observers and calculators in the Harvard observatory and the professor of mathematics in Sea observatories (Washington) to which possesses opening two Martian moon could not neglect.

Having learned about opening from newspapers, one English schoolgirl has suggested the Hall of the name for new heavenly bodies: the god of war in antique myths eternally is accompanied with its children - Fear and Horror so let internal from satellites is called as a Fobos, and external Deimos for so these words sound in ancient greek language. Names appeared successful and were fixed

In 1969., that when people have landed on the Moon, American automatic interplanetary station " Mariner - 7 " has transferred a photo on which casually there was a Fobos to the Earth, and it was precisely distinct on a background of a disk of Mars. Moreover, in a photo the shadow of a Fobos on a surface of Mars was appreciable, and this shadow was not spherical, but extended! Through two with superfluous year the Fobos and Deimos have been specially photographed by station " Mariner - 9 ". The first results of supervision have been received not only telepictures with the good sanction, but also by means of infra-red radiometer and a ultra-violet spectrometer.

"Mariner - 9" has approached to satellites on distance of 5000 km, therefore in pictures objects with a diameter in some hundreds meters differed. Really, appeared, that the form of a Fobos and Deimos extremely far from correct sphere. Their form reminds the extended potato. The telemetering spacetechnics has allowed to specify the sizes of these heavenly bodies which already to essential changes will not undergo. On the newest data the big half shaft of a Fobos makes 13,5 km, and Deimos - 7,5 km, small - accordingly 9,4 and 5,5 km. The surface of satellites of Mars appeared the extremely crossed: they practically all are spotted with crests and the craters having, obviously, a shock origin. Probably, falling of meteorites on the surface unprotected by an atmosphere, proceeding extremely long time, could lead to such it sulfuces. One more feature of topography of a Fobos is of interest. The question is any mysterious sulcuses as though put by the plowman, unknown, but very accurate. Thus though they also cover with themselves more than half of surface of the satellite, all such "ridges" are concentrated only in one area of a Fobos in its northern part.

Sulcuses are pulled on tens kilometers, their width on different sites changes from 100 up to 200 m, depth too is not identical in various places. How these sulcuses were formed? One scientists blamed an attraction of Mars which could deform the person of the satellite such wrinkles for all. But it is known, that during an initial epoch of the existence the Fobos was further from the central body, than nowadays. Only about one billion years ago, gradually approaching with Mars, it began feel really its tidal force, hence, sulcuses could to arise not earlier, and it contradicts the data according to which the age of sulcuses is much more and, maybe, makes 3 billion years. Besides gravitational influence of Mars on a Fobos proceeds and today, means, on its surface there should be absolutely fresh sulcuses, however they there are not present.

Other scientists considered, that sulcuses are put on a surface of the satellite by fragments of the breed which have been thrown out from any else unknown large crater.

But it is far from being all scientists with it have agreed. The part of experts counts more plausible other hypothesis according to which in the beginning there was a uniform big protomoon of Mars. Then this "parent" of both "brothers" - a Fobos and Deimos - has broken up into two present satellites, and sulcuses traces of such cataclysm.

The analysis of the photos sent to the Earth by an orbital compartment of "Viking - 2" on which surfaces of satellites of Mars are painted in dark colors, has shown, that such painting happens more often is peculiar to the breeds containing many of carbonaceous substances. But in those concerning close areas of Solar system where the orbit of Mars with its satellites runs, carbonaceous substances in plentiful amounts are not formed. That means, a Fobos and Deimos, most likely "newcomers", instead of "natives".

If they, really, were generated somewhere in rather far corner of Solar system by the moment when they were grasped with a field of gravitation of the Red planet, they, most likely, represented a uniform body which has then broken up into some fragments. The part of these fragments has fallen to a surface of Mars, the part left to space, and two fragments became satellites of a planet.

However it is necessary to listen and to opponents who reject occurrence of satellites of Mars by capture before an independent body and its break.

The largest cosmogonist academician O.J.Schmidt has developed in due time a hypothesis of formation of Solar system, according to which planet have arisen by an akkretion (clumping) the firm and gaseous particles originally making a protoplanetaried cloud. O.J.Schmidt's Soviet followers consider, as satellites of planets were formed by similar way. As powerful confirmation of their correctness the detailed mathematical model showing serves, how there can be such processes. These researchers count capture by planets of especially large heavenly bodies rather improbable event.

Craters on a Fobos and Deimos in the sizes are not equal almost to satellites. Means, collisions were for them catastrophic events. The form of satellites very wrong: otherwise as fragmentary, it you will not name. Hence, the Fobos and Deimos basically, can be fragments of once existing larger body.

It was possible even to estimate the approximate sizes of this body. If its radius reached about 400 km "bombardment" of meteorites would not lead to its destruction and around of Mars bodies in the size not in ten - fifteen, and in hundreds kilometers today would address.

There is also one more hypothesis connected to a belt of asteroids. It is possible, that during far times any asteroid has flown in an atmosphere of Mars, was braked by it and has turned to its satellite. However very much must be dense the Martian atmosphere should for this purpose.

Supporters of hypotheses of occurrence of satellites of Mars contradicting each other possess powerful arguments, and business of time to solve, who from them the rights.

One of the major opening a space age is confirmation of existence of a solar wind. These are the mighty streams of the charged particles which are throwned up by the Sun. With supersonic speed they are carried in a space, falling on everything, that will meet on their way. And only those heavenly bodies which similarly to our Earth, possess strong enough magnetic field serving as a strong board from such magnetic stream, are not exposed to the full to influence of a solar wind.

Soviet interplanetary stations "Mars - 2" and "Mars - 3" started in 1971-1972. spent by supervision over how the solar wind cooperates with " the Red planet ". Stations have sent data according to which the solar wind does not reach a surface of Mars to the Earth, and will come across a barrier and starts to flow round a planet from different directions. This flow began that closer to Mars is farther from it (depending on force of "attacking" particles and resistance of a "defending" magnetic field of a planet), but on the average the distance from the center of a planet made about 4800 km. The further researches have shown, that in the certain area of a nearlymartianed space a congestion of ions in ten with superfluous time is less, than in others. And a power spectrum of these charged particles absolutely other. The strange area did not remain on one place. When its moving have been investigated, appeared, that it goes together with Deimos, all time being hidden for its back on distance about 20000 km. Soviet astrophysicist A.V.Bogdanov has come out with the assumption that is obvious, from a surface of Mars there is strongly an allocation of gases which cooperate with space surrounding it. When Deimos passes directly between Mars and the Sun, the area of collision of a solar wind with a magnetosphere of Mars leaves from a planet as though the "defending" side, having received a reinforcement, can drive away "coming", and the size of a Martian magnetosphere becomes much more. And in fact till now was considered, that small bodies of our Solar system, such, as for example, asteroids or the small satellites of planets similar to Deimos, on a powerful stream of a solar wind to influence are powerless.

One more strangeness on which researchers of satellites of Mars have paid attention: large craters, which diameter are exceeded with 500 m, on Deimos meet approximately as frequently, as well as on a Fobos. And here fine craters with which the Fobos is rich, on Deimos it is not enough. The matter is that the surface of Deimos is sated with finely shattered stones and a dust, and fine craters digged up to edges, therefore the surface of Deimos looks more smooth. There is a question: why anybody, figuratively being expressed, does not fall asleep foundation ditches on a Fobos? There is a hypothesis, that the Fobos and Deimos are exposed to powerful meteoric bombardment - in fact atmospheres which would serve as a reliable board, at them is not present. At impact of a meteoric body about a surface of a Fobos the formed dust and fine stones in the most part depart from its surface: gravitation of rather close Mars is strong "selects" them at the satellite.

And Deimos is from a planet where further, therefore thrown out at falling on its surface meteoric stones and a dust appreciably hang in an orbit of Deimos. Coming back in a former point of an orbit, "Horror" gradually again collects splinters and a dust, they settle on its surface and bury above itself many fresh craters and first of all that smaller.

The top friable layer of the Moon, Mars, its satellites, that part of their surface to which on the Earth there meets ground, is called as regolith. Now it is possible to count established, that regolith of the Martian moon is similar that is observed on our "terrestrial" Moon. Generally presence of regolith on a Fobos and Deimos all over again has surprised scientists. In fact the second space speed after which achievement any subject leaves in interplanetary space, on such fine heavenly bodies makes all any 10 m/sec. Therefore at impact of a meteorite any cobble-stone becomes here "a space shell ".

Detailed pictures of Deimos have allowed to find out for the present the inexplicable fact: there are, some cratered shaft and about ten-meter boulders, absent-minded on a surface of Deimos, are decorated with a long loop. These loops look as rather long strip formed by a fine-grained material as though thrown out from depth. Something similar is and on Mars, but, apparently, there these strips look a little differently. Anyway, to experts again is above what to break a head ...

In 1945 astronomer B.P.Sharpless has come to belief, that the Fobos in its movement around of Mars has century acceleration. And it meant, that the satellite goes all more likely on very much - very much flat spiral, being gradually braked and all closer approaching to a surface of a planet. Calculations of the Sharpless have shown, that if will change nothing, for any 15 million years the Fobos will fall to Mars and will be lost.

But here there has come a space age, and to mankind than a problem of astronomy became closer. About processes of braking of artificial satellites in an atmosphere of the Earth have learned broad masses. Well, and as the atmosphere is and at Mars, the truth very rarefied, whether that can cause it the friction century acceleration of a Fobos? In 1959 I.S.Shklovsky has executed corresponding calculations and has drawn a conclusion caused unrest both in minds of scientists, and in minds of general public.

That century acceleration which we notice in conditions of a rarefied top atmosphere of Mars, can be explained only if to assume at a Fobos very small density, such small which would not allow the satellite to fell to pieces if it ... hollow. As well as it is necessary to the scientist, I.S.Shklovsky did not make any categorical statements; it and itself counted the question put to it "rather radical and not absolutely usual" the assumption.

In 1973 scientist V.A.Shor and its colleagues in Institute of theoretical astronomy have finished processing over five thousand exhaustive data on the completeness, collected almost for whole the centuries from the date of opening a Fobos and Deimos. It was found out, that the Fobos all the same is accelerated. To tell the truth, much more poorly, than the Sharpless considered.

And time acceleration is, we can predict destiny of a Fobos: no more than through 100 million years it so will be pulled together to Mars, will cross a disastrous limit Rosha and will be Tormented by tidal forces. The part of fragments of the satellite will fall to Mars, and a part, probably, will be presented our descendants as a beautiful ring, is similar to what Saturn nowadays famous.

As to Deimos here at anybody it is no doubt: it does not possess century acceleration.

Whether and there are at Mars still no satellites, hitherto unknown persons? This question has put before itself Joules. P.Kojper, director of the Moon-planetary observatory at University of state Arizona. To answer this question, it has developed the special photographic technology, allowing to fix even very poorly luminous objects. All his researches have not led to opening of the new satellite of Mars.

Then searches of the unknown satellite of Mars were spent by employee of the research center of NASA in California of J.B.Polak. His researches also have not crowned success. So it is still possible to count, that only the Fear and Horror accompany a heavenly embodiment of the god of war.

Martian programs.

For last 20 years to Mars and its satellites the set of flights has been accomplished. Researches carried out Russian and American stations. But the majority of programs have been broken. Here their chronology: November 1962. The AIS "Mars - 1" has passed to 197000 kilometers from a "red" planet. After 61 sessions communication is lost.

1965. "Mariner - 4" has passed July on distance of 10 thousand in km. from Mars. The set of photos of a surface of this planet has been received, craters have been found out, the weight, structure of an atmosphere is specified.

1969. "Mariner - 6" and "Mariner - 7" were on distance of 3400 km. from a surface. Some tens pictures with the sanction up to 300m have been received.

May 1971. "Mars - 2" and "Mars - 3" and "Mariner - 9" are started.

" Mars - 2,-3 " researches from orbits of artificial satellites, transferring the atmospheres given about properties and conducted surfaces of Mars on character of radiation in seen, infra-red and ultra-violet ranges of a spectrum, and also in a range of radio waves. The temperature of northern cap (below-110°C) has been measured; extent, structure, temperature of an atmosphere temperature of a surface are determined, the data on height of dust clouds and a weak magnetic field, and also color images of Mars are received. After the lead researches both stations have been lost.

"Mariner - 9" has transferred to the Earth 7329 pictures of Mars with the sanction 100m, and also photos of its satellites.

1973. Space vehicles "Mars - 4,-5,-6,-7" has reached vicinities of Mars in the beginning 1974. Because of malfunction of onboard system of braking "Mars - 4" has passed on distance about 2200 km from a surface of a planet, having executed only its(her) photographing. "Mars - 5" carried out remote researches of a surface and an atmosphere from an orbit of the artificial satellite. "Mars - 6" has made soft landing in a southern hemisphere. To the Earth the data on a chemical compound, pressure and temperatures of an atmosphere have been transferred. "Mars - 7" has passed on distance of 1300 km from a surface, not having executed the program.

1975. Two American "Vikings" are started. Landing block " Viking - 1 " has made soft landing to Plain Hrisa on July, 20 1976., and "Viking - 2" - on Plain the Utopia on September, 3 1976. In places of landings(plantings) unique experiments have been lead with the purpose of detection of attributes of a life in a Martian ground.

1988. The Soviet stations "Fobos - 2,-3" which should investigate Mars and its satellite a Fobos, could not carry out the basic program, unfortunately. Communication has been lost on March, 27 1989.

1992. The American space vehicle "Mars - Observer" also has not carried out of the problem, communication with it has been lost on August, 21 1993.

JULY 1997. "Mars Pathfinder" - most interesting of programs of research of Mars, about it is necessary to tell more in detail.

On July, 4, 1997 on a surface of the Red planet the automatic device of earthmen "Pathfinder" was lowered. All way to Mars in the extent of half-billion kilometers "pathfinder" has overcome about speed more than hundred thousand kilometers at one o'clock. The American experts who created an interplanetary probe and have sent it in so long and dangerous travel, have shown miracles of an ingenuity that "Pathfinder" has reached a place in an integrity and safety. They especially were anxious for last stage - landing of a probe to a surface.

The greatest danger to a probe was represented with violent storms on Mars. Before landing the violent storm approximately in thousand kilometers from a point of a landing has been noticed.

"Pathfinder" for the first time should reach the Red planet without an output into an orbit. For this purpose brake rockets have joined, and the probe has come in an atmosphere of Mars on the reduced speed of 7,5 km. per second. For the further braking release the parachute with a garland of inflatable cylinders has been let out. The parachute has reduced speed up to 100 meters a second. 8 seconds prior to landing cylinders were filled by gas. Directly ahead of a contact of a rocky ground the parachute was shot, cylinders have hit about ground, having sprung, have jumped up on height of 15 meters. And so, having jumped up some times, all complex has stood only in 20 kilometers from the planned place.

There was a small malfunction: one of inflatable cylinders was hooked for edge of "petal" (section of the opened solar battery) and ("Fellow traveler") has prevented an output from a belly of the device of self-propelled six-wheel robot " sojournor ". It was necessary on a team from the Earth to lift section of the solar battery on 45 degrees and to hold it in such position of 10 minutes. For this time the cylinder has been lowered a little, that has enabled "Fellow traveler" to be rolled out on a rocky ground and to start researches.

In 90 minutes after landing a probe experts of NASA have received the first weak radio signals from the aerial fixed on one petals. It means, that landing has passed successfully. Signals were transferred in dead silence at temperature a minus 220 C! Long expectation within several hours of Martian sunrise for an opportunity of additional charge of solar batteries was necessary. Then there will be signals from more powerful aerial, and together with them and pictures of a surface of a planet.

The first received three-dimensional pictures have shows, that landing is accomplished in area of ancient channel Ares Vallis which once transferred to thousand times more waters, than our present Amazon. As is known, "channels" have been found out from the Earth hundred years ago and have caused by a life of a hypothesis about the reasonable Martians who have developed on the planet powerful irrigational system.

Experts on the meteorites, keen on searches of traces of a life on Mars, have declared, that in pictures the big variety of the rocky breeds deserving a close attention of geologists is submitted. Some rocks bear obvious traces of the former influences of water weights.

The interplanetary probe "Pathfinder" is the predecessor of an arrogant series of the further Martian expeditions. Special interest to them burned last year's finds of traces of primitive forms of a life in the Martian meteorite fallen to the Earth more 1300 years ago.

At the end of this year the output into a Martian orbit of an automatic probe " Mars global surveyor ", started simultaneously with "Pathfinder" is expected. The following device with an exit into a Martian orbit is planned to start the next year. By way of researchers start of pilotless probes in 2001, 2003 and, at last, in 2005 when Martian tests of a ground will be delivered to the Earth.

Who are you, inhabitants of Mars?

In total twenty years ago it was difficult to find the person, whether which even time was not present at lecture "Is there a life on Mars?". For term approximately in half-centuries (a record of survival rate for popular scientific lectures) the name has had time to bother slightly to people anxious with more terrestrial problems.

At the end of the last century by the astronomer of the Skiaparelli the lines crossed under different corners were open on Mars. The pathbreaker has named lines channels and by that has enclosed a bomb under itself: in the Italian language the word "canali" designates " a passage, a channel ", in all other languages - " the dug channel " is artificial. Inhabitants have understood a hint, certainly, literally. As to professionals - astronomers these especially peace people have broken up into two hostile camps: on supporters of the Skiaparelli considering "canali" an optical deceit and freak of the imagination, and on adherents of the Percival of the Lowell which has explained the reason of occurrence of channels building activity of inhabitants of Mars. They have specially constructed channels for swapping water of polar caps in droughty equatorial areas. And it is valid, each Martian spring areas around of channels started to turn green.

Though in an artificial origin of the channels which have been found out by the Skiaparelli, few scientists trusted, the problem of existence of a vegetative life on Mars was discussed completely seriously. There was even a special science - astrobotany which explained changes in channels and dark areas presence of vegetation. People so are to be trusted in it, that all other hypotheses were simply rejected. "If it not plants, then that?" - they asked. And it is valid, appear, that other explanation to strange behavior of dark areas and channels to find it is impossible.

In 1965 the first photos from Mars, made with small distance have been transferred to the Earth. Alas, these images have not helped to reveal a secret of Martian channels. Channels on them it was not simple! And all subsequent researches have not found out any attributes of vegetation or artificial constructions. Lowered devices "Vikings - 1" and "Viking - 2" have transferred the images of lifeless Martian landscapes similar which on the Earth it is possible to find unless in deserts: stones and sand under the reddish sky. But people continued to hope. If not plants, maybe, even bacteria?!

On "Vikings" special biological experiments have been planned. They were based on the natural assumption, that if on Mars there is a life by the chemical nature it cannot strongly differ from terrestrial. The first experiment has been directed on searches of traces of photosynthesis in the Martian ground, the second should reveal change of a chemical compound of a ground during ability to live of microorganisms, in the third ground placed in a nutritious broth and fixed changes in it. All three experiments have shown, that, most likely even microorganisms on Mars are absent, though because of some chemical complexities to give completely precise answer to a question: whether "there is a life on Mars?" This time it was not possible.

Space vehicles have sent to the Earth photos of the lifeless surface sated same as on the Moon, craters. Astronomers have sighed and have reconciled, occasions for dispute any more were not. The disappointment was on so much big what again to expose the divine old question began to be considered as a bad form. But soon optimism to supporters of existence of a life on Mars was inspired with the same pictures which so recently have buried their dreams. Wide popularity one of them - has received only "photograph" of the strange Martian formation rather reminding the female person.

In 1979 the disappointment and the despondency caused by lifeless landscapes, at operators in Control centre of flights was so great, that they almost with full indifference have issued also this picture which has arrived from "Viking" number 35A72. From a surface of far Mars the huge female person looked at operators. Well also what? For memories the example with "channels" still was, direct lines on a red planet have seemed, now the woman, probably, owing to weariness here has seemed.

Has passed very few(not enough, very poorly) time, " the picture with an optical deceit " was redeemed by a certain West-German programmer who without thinking twice, has entered its parameters into a computer with the purpose to approach the image, to look at it not from height of an orbit in hundreds kilometers, and only from one and a half kilometers. When the COMPUTER has unpacked result, it has been struck - the optical deceit has completely disappeared, the woman really looked at it! For not blinking, Aspirated in the sky, a sight and for characteristic "an ancient Egyptian hair dress" this sculpture has received a nickname " a Martian sphinx ".

The sensation simply should get on pages of press then refutations, as always, have immediately appeared. The head of the program "Viking" K.Snyder, that, that has admitted outflow of a valuable photo, not hiding irritation, has declared, that " the found out image - only the rocky formations which have accepted freakish outlines as a result of game of light and shadows ".

Have not refrained from studying a photo and in Institute of geochemistry and analytical chemistry it. Vernadsky. In opinion of the candidate of geographical sciences R.Kuzmin, "all business in slanting illumination, light of low located Sun, rejects shadows from usual bumpies, and as to nostrils and a necklace on the person it is the usual handicapes which have arisen by transfer of the image to the Earth!" It is valid, under the law of probability theory artful game of light and a shadow quite could make suddenly any image but if it not the true image it is necessary to change a direction of illumination as all is effect will immediately be gone. But it is necessary to give due to the mentioned Snyder, workers of NASA have found one more, earlier defective picture made on the other coil and, hence, during other time. The sphinx though has been slightly seen, but nevertheless has not disappeared.

Having received in the hands two pictures, the American experts have started computer construction of the stereoimage. Nostrils, a necklace, other points considered as handicapes, on the new image for some reason have not disappeared, but the COMPUTER confidently drew only it the seen pupils of eyes and even a teeth in a slightly opened mouth!

Now began possible to estimate the provisional sizes of the giant. Length from a chin up to hair - 1,5 km, width - 1,3 km, height from a surface of desert up to a nose of 0,5 km! If the image of the female person somehow at once was evident, on the constructions remote from a sphynx on 7 km, have paid attention a little bit later. The most powerful for today computers show the three-dimensional image of Acydalian plane on Mars. 19 pyramids and structures, road and a strange round platform are found out. Are dear are obviously laid not by the casual image, two of them approach to the pyramids, at once three converge in a circle, in city centre. The sizes here again amaze imagination: the biggest central pyramid almost ten times surpasses the well-known pyramid of the Heops in Egypt. If pyramids though are somehow close and clear to us, in kilometer it is possible to argue on purpose of a circle in diameter indefinitely: the cosmodrome, range, laboratory such as the accelerator, the central area of city. By an abundance of taking place roads, last variant the most preferable. There are no doubts, that the city is constructed very much for a long time and now is uninhabited. Whence it is known? Think: large meteorites not too frequently fall on a surface of a planet, in pictures cities two hits of large meteorites in the left big pyramid and in a crossroads of roads are visible at least. Neither that, nor another is not restored, it is probable because to restore already nobody. If earlier on Mars there was a water, air, the rivers flew, there was a life now any conditions for human life on Mars are not present: extremely rarefied atmosphere (only 0,6 percent from terrestrial), an atmosphere from carbonic gas, absence of water, temperature from-139 up to + 22 degrees of the C! No, people should be lost here, or leave this world.

Mars lost an atmosphere very much and very long, it very slowly turned from a planet with the rivers and the seas to a planet with cold deserts. Whether it means, what the city has died out millions years ago? No! We do not know from what material are erected a sphynx and pyramids and consequently we can not tell, that for such big time they should collapse; but we precisely know, that 5-10 thousand years because of individual dust storms from roads there could be only memoirs. One more argument for the benefit of a comparative youth of city: some roads have been constructed obviously in a detour of meteoric craters! It means, that people built roads, already when meteorites were not late in a rarefied atmosphere, i.e. people - Martians worked in an atmosphere, such what at us it happens at height up to 20-40 km. In such atmosphere not that what to work, simply is it is possible few seconds! It turns out, that Martians worked in survival suits with the help of robots. Or can be easier - they made very strong roads to eminences so that them did not fall asleep sand?

And still one idea, despite of all clauses, and does not go from a head. A little thousand years ago on a red planet there lived people, built huge constructions, have erected near to picturesque mountains the big city the Cydonia, and then the city was lost together with a planet …. Perhaps, owing to is artificial the caused ecological accident, and the destruction of Mars can be caused by quite natural reasons, Martians have only sped up a course of events and could not save the situation? In any case it would be desirable to know, what began with inhabitants of the Cydonia? They have left city just when on the Earth the civilization began to develop, really all of them have flown to the Earth and are a powerful spur in development of Earthmen (that through thousand years already here again to approach to threat of ecological accident)? It would be desirable to trust, that all of them were rescued. But why then so the face of a Martian sphynx is sad? Both the Russian and American computers have noticed and have allocated a small point (only 50 meters) on the right cheek. Tear! So after whom the Martian woman which sight is Aspirated in the sky cries?

So, the history of searches of a life on Mars can be named a history of disappointment. The person for a long time dreamed of a meeting with brothers on reason, and Mars was represented by the most probable native land for them. Modern supervision have costed with this dream too ruthlessly, but people continue to hope, that they not one in the universe.