The Odyssey data reveals the distribution of subsurface water on Mars concentrated in two regions on opposite sides of the planet, corresponding to the Tharsis and Arabia bulges. Hoagland argues this bimodal water distribution confirms his tidal model prediction that Mars was once a moon of a larger planet, as such a pattern cannot form through normal geological processes. He also presents a newly released infrared nighttime image showing honeycomb-like geometric structures spanning miles, which he interprets as buried remains of an ancient Martian city.
The program also covers Columbia's Freon cooling loop failure threatening its Hubble repair mission, Hoagland's film script delivery to RKO Pictures, and a frank exchange about whether the American public truly wants an ambitious space program or prefers focusing resources on terrestrial concerns.
Key Moments
NASA underplays the Mars news: Hoagland argues NASA's afternoon Mars Odyssey press conference dramatically downplayed a stunning result - researchers were 'bubbling' privately about a whole new Mars, yet the briefing drew only three press questions in 45 minutes.
Mars Odyssey neutron data: water signature: Hoagland explains the Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer's neutron detectors are reading the telltale fingerprints of water down to about 250 miles below the spacecraft - the headline science of the day.
Vindication of the bimodal water prediction: Hoagland claims the new HEND data confirm his prior on-air prediction that Martian water would be concentrated in two equatorial regions on opposite sides of the planet - gobs of frozen water down to 60 degrees south.
Tidal model: Mars as a habitable moon: Hoagland's tidal-heating model frames Mars as a former temperate moon of a much larger planet, holding Earth-like conditions long enough - half a billion years - for complex, possibly intelligent life to evolve.
Themis honeycomb: ruins of an ancient Martian city: Reviewing same-day Themis infrared imagery, Hoagland points to a six-sided geometric pattern with crenellations across 65-by-20-mile frames and concludes they are the buried remains of a huge ancient Martian city.