Scientists have discovered new evidence of possible flows of salt water on Mars, NASA announced Thursday. Observations of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) have revealed that water flows possible during the warmer months on Mars.
NASA scientists said repeatedly observed that dark, finger-like features appear and extend to a steep slope during the spring in the midlatitudes of the southern hemisphere of Mars.
NASA scientists said repeatedly observed that dark, finger-like features appear and extend to a steep slope during the spring in the midlatitudes of the southern hemisphere of Mars.
"The best explanation for these observations so far is the flow of briny water," said Alfred McEwen, the principal investigator for the orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and lead author of Mars' recurring flows report published in Thursday's edition of the journal Science.
Although some aspects of the observations still puzzle researchers, flowing liquid brine is the best explanation given the characteristics of functions. "
Sites with active flows are hot enough to sustain liquid water oceans salt of the earth, while the pure water freezes at the temperatures observed. Salinity decreases the freezing temperature of water.
Salt deposits in most of Mars indicate pickles were plentiful in Mars' past and recent observations from NASA suggest pickles can still form near the surface today in a limited time and place.
If further study of the dark flows supports the evidence of recurrent pickles, these could be the first known places with liquid water on Mars. Frozen water has been detected in many regions, but this is the most scientists have found evidence of liquid water on the surface of Mars.
Sites with active flows are hot enough to sustain liquid water oceans salt of the earth, while the pure water freezes at the temperatures observed. Salinity decreases the freezing temperature of water.
Salt deposits in most of Mars indicate pickles were plentiful in Mars' past and recent observations from NASA suggest pickles can still form near the surface today in a limited time and place.
If further study of the dark flows supports the evidence of recurrent pickles, these could be the first known places with liquid water on Mars. Frozen water has been detected in many regions, but this is the most scientists have found evidence of liquid water on the surface of Mars.
"NASA's Mars Exploration Program keeps bringing us closer to determining whether the Red Planet could harbor life in some form," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, "and it reaffirms Mars as an important future destination for human exploration."
