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R_www.mnn.com 2015 01414.txt.txt

#There's water on Mars, NASA confirms There's water on Mars, and it flows there today. In an eagerly anticipated news event, NASA revealed this morning the evidence of liquid, flowing seasonal water on the Red planet. Water often signals life, so this new discovery gives hope to the search for life in our solar system. Data from various probes and rovers like Curiosity and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have provided researchers with evidence concluding that there is flowing water on present-day Mars. Scientists understand that Mars was once Earthlike with large amounts of water on the surface. Something unknown happened in the planet's history causing it to change. However today's revelation confirms that Mars has harbored water in the past, and that water exists there today. Now, scientists can pursue the implications of what flowing water means in relation to the planet's history and what it could also mean for the potential for life. Michael Meyer of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA explained, "We found the active process on Mars today that shows that water was a likelihood.""He continued with a description of the geological features that caused scientists to suspect water prior to the confirmation of its presence. To show how researchers came to their conclusions, Meyer explained the significance of"recurring slope linea.""These RSLS point to the existence of water due to the way they behave. He said, "These are dark streaks that form in late spring, grow in the summer and disappear by fall.""In summarizing the data presented during the news conference, Meyer confirmed, "There has been no evidence for water until for now.""The news was published based on research today in Nature Geoscience, which shows how scientists were able to study the RSLS on the planet's surface. Scientists had observed previously these streaks in photos, but because the streaks are only about 5 meters across, researchers could not get a good enough look to determine what was causing them. However, recently scientists found a way to analyze data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter by extracting data from the pictures on a per pixel level. This allows scientists to study smaller details on the Red planet's surface and those details provided the new information. Scientists also have an understanding of the composition of the water. Findings show that hydrated salts are present on the surface of Mars. Hydrated salts would mean that the water on Mars is briny. According to Popular Science, the salt in the water allows it to remain liquid at lower temperatures. Mary Beth Wilhelm of NASA's Ames Research center explained that the evidence of water means many things, not the least of which is that microbial life is possible. Also, water on Mars could aid in the human exploration of the planet. Water on Mars would be a crucial resource for astronauts visiting the planet or for long-term colonists. Of course scientists will need to study the nature of the water to know the full implications. Researchers have many exciting challenges ahead of them, and one is to determine where the water comes from. Could there be an underground Martian aquifer? Researchers note that there is potential for the Curiosity rover to travel to an RSL and analyze a sample of the liquid. Another possibility is the future Mars 2020 rover or other rovers designed for the task. The discovery of liquid water on Mars leads to more intriguing questions and mysteries. If there has been did life on mars, where it come from? How did it survive, what was it like and is it still there? These new findings about liquid water on Mars make scientists and space exploration enthusiasts thirsty for more information n

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