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NASA discovers evidence of flowing water on Mars
Source: Agencies |
August 5, 2011, Friday
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NASA scientists have discovered fresh evidence that water is flowing on Mars during its warmest months, raising the likelihood that life could exist on the red planet, the agency said yesterday.
NASA first found evidence of water on Mars more than a decade ago, but earlier indications were that it would be mostly frozen and concentrated at the poles.
Recently analyzed images from the NASA Reconnaissance Orbiter that has circled the planet show dark finger-like features that extend down some Martian slopes during late spring through summer, and fade in the winter.
"This is the best evidence we have to date of a liquid water occurring today on Mars," said Philip Christensen, geophysicist at Arizona State University, in a NASA panel announcing the findings.
NASA scientists believe that if flowing, liquid water exists on Mars, it would be highly salty. That would explain why it would not freeze in the planet's cold temperatures.
NASA first found evidence of water on Mars more than a decade ago, but earlier indications were that it would be mostly frozen and concentrated at the poles.
Recently analyzed images from the NASA Reconnaissance Orbiter that has circled the planet show dark finger-like features that extend down some Martian slopes during late spring through summer, and fade in the winter.
"This is the best evidence we have to date of a liquid water occurring today on Mars," said Philip Christensen, geophysicist at Arizona State University, in a NASA panel announcing the findings.
NASA scientists believe that if flowing, liquid water exists on Mars, it would be highly salty. That would explain why it would not freeze in the planet's cold temperatures.
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