Evidence of liquid water on Mars may be closer than we thought
In short: NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has identified a significant chemical signature that suggests liquid water might exist on the Martian surface today. This discovery shifts our understanding of the planet's current geological activity.
Using an imaging spectrometer, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) detected signatures of hydrated minerals on Martian slopes. These specific locations correspond with downhill streaks known as Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL).
While RSL flows have long been theorized to be related to liquid water, the presence of hydrated minerals provides the strongest evidence to date. These salts can lower the freezing point of brine, potentially allowing liquid water to persist in the Martian environment.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Water Flowing on Mars Today on This Week @NASA – October 2, 2015
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