Water on Mars: Nasa reveals briny flows on surface

[Eight Ball]

 

http://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/live/2015/sep/28/water-on-mars-buildup-to-nasa-mystery-solved-announcement-live

 

Summary

 

So the news is that there is flowing water on Mars. The evidence comes from dark streaks that appear on the surface of the Red Planet. These have been known about for many years because the landscape has been seen to change on successive images taken by spacecraft orbiting Mars. Although flowing water has always been a possibility for their creation, other ideas such as the movement of dry ice (carbon dioxide) or the action of the wind, could not be ruled out.

 

Now, however, strong evidence for them being driven by water has been collected by an instrument called CRISM on board Nasa’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It has seen the signature of salts known as perchlorates in the dark streaks. These indicate that flowing salty water is responsible for the markings.

 

In light of this discovery, the search is on for finding where this Mars water is coming from, how it finds its way to the surface and how much of it is down there? There is much we do not know: previous radar studies from Europe’s Mars Express spacecraft had come up empty handed when looking for underground aquifers of water. So where is the water hiding?

Nevertheless, the news that there is (occasionally) flowing water on the surface of Mars boosts the chances of using it to support astronauts when we launch a crewed mission to the Red Planet.

 

This new discovery is likely to change the focus of future Mars exploration by influencing decision makers to focus on how to safely land near areas where liquid water may be close to the surface.

 

Today’s announcement may not be lakes and rivers, but even small amounts of flowing water on Mars is big news. Not that many years ago, the place was thought to be the most arid desert imaginable.

 

Edited September 29, 2015 by Eight Ball

[Aginor]

I heard it yesterday in the evening news. Pretty awesome!

[Crunchy]

Wasn't so long ago that everyone called you a crack pot if you believed in life on other planets. Yet this year alone we have found a planet that's like our own Earth and now water on Mars. So who's the fool now for not believing that life may exist on other planets. I thinks it's just about fact that life does exists else where in the universe and possibly in our own solar system now.

[TomOnSteam]

On earth, where there is water there is life. I hope it is the same on Mars! :)

[HiJack]

I doubt they will find salmons in those "streams". :P

[Crunchy]

On earth, where there is water there is life. I hope it is the same on Mars! :)

 

There might even be an Arnold shwarzenegger on Mars. Remember - Total Recall?

[JINX_1391]

Wasn't so long ago that everyone called you a crack pot if you believed in life on other planets. Yet this year alone we have found a planet that's like our own Earth and now water on Mars. So who's the fool now for not believing that life may exist on other planets. I thinks it's just about fact that life does exists else where in the universe and possibly in our own solar system now.

 

[HiJack]

One day we will drink our own purified water on Mars, I'm sure of it :thumbup:

[Crunchy]

 

Who's this pic of and what movie? Would help to know and I might get the joke.

[HiJack]

Independence Day

[cichlidfan]

Independence Day

 

... and Randy Quaid, to answer the other part of the question. :)

[HiJack]

... and Randy Quaid, to answer the other part of the question. :)

Abducted by Martians :megalol:

[Crunchy]

Abducted by Martians :megalol:

 

I don't think it's totally inconceivable that we may have been visited at some point by some other life form. We are visiting other planets so what's to say we aren't been visited. Even the renowned Professor Steven Hawking, is worried about been turned into sausage meat or spite roasted whole for an Alien barbecue.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Crunchy

[Aginor]

Most likely they won't find salmon there, but maybe salmonella! :D