NASA Finds Water Flowing On Mars
Video by Kalyn Norwood
NASA made waves today with the announcement that it had evidence of flowing water on Mars. NASA scientists knew that frozen water existed at the planet’s poles, but new evidence suggests that dark streaks on the Martian surface are created by water.
Not only do the streaks form during warmer temperatures on Mars, NASA scientists said, but the presence of hydrated salts in these areas suggests the presence of water. Hydrated salts were previously found in the Martian soil by NASA’s Phoenix lander and Curiosity rover.
To see a timeline of significant events in the exploration of Mars, click here.
The streaks were seen and the salts detected at these streaks by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
“The detection of these hydrated salts says there’s water action there,” said Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter project scientist Richard Zurek. “They’re also the kinds of salts that could keep water liquid at very cold temperatures.”
This is a critical insight since the streaks form at temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. NASA scientists likened the ability of these salts to maintain liquid water on the frigid Martian surface to the use of salt on Earth to liquify icy roads.
NASA scientists believe the water flows are shallow, and concentrated with salt.
“It is probably briny water,” Zurek said. “But the source may be fresher, and that’s the next big question.”
The answer to that question is still unknown. He said neither Curiosity, which is currently roving the Martian surface, nor a future rover set to launch in 2020, will be able to explore these regions where water is thought to flow. However, he indicated that robotics designed to explore these regions are currently being designed.
While it might be natural to think about the presence of life where there is water, Zurek cautioned against assuming that life on Mars would have adapted to water the way it did on Earth.
To hear more from Zurek on the possibility of life in the water on Mars, listen here.
