A Step Closer To Life? Salt Water Found On Mars Surface, Says NASA

Evidence of flowing water found on the surface of Mars.

Mars, the red planet has flowing water on its surface, as confirmed by NASA. (Photo: iStock)

There is water on Mars. Yes, in what can possibly become one of the greatest scientific discoveries, NASA experts have announced the existence of flowing water on the red planet.

A scientist working with NASA has confirmed the discovery with The Quint. The report he sent us shows some interesting facts. The report says the hydration features are perhaps due to greater stability of hydrated salts in late summer when temperatures drop.

Liquid water runs down canyons and crater walls during summer months – the trickles leave long, dark stains on the Martian terrain. These can reach hundreds of metres downhill during the warmer months, before they dry up in the autumn.

Images taken from the Mars orbit display cliffs, and the steep walls of valleys and craters, streaked with summertime flows.

Scientists are unsure where the water comes from, but it may rise up from underground ice or salty aquifers, or condense from the rarefied Martian atmosphere.

There is liquid water today on the surface of Mars. Because of this, we suspect that it is at least possible to have a habitable environment today.
— Michael Meyer, Lead Scientist, Nasa’s Mars Exploration Programme, to the Guardian

These dark, narrow streaks tend to appear and grow during the warmest Martian months, and fade the rest of the year. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, and scientists say that would explain these seasonal briny flows.

Because water is essential to life, Monday’s findings could have major implications.