Scientists Discover Liquid Water on Mars

Scientists say that after analyzing reams of data sent by Mars rover Curiosity, they have found evidence of liquid water on Mars.

Vox reports that the discovery was published in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience. The scientists behind the work discovered that tiny pools of liquid water form on the surface of Mars at night before evaporating again when the sun rises.

Previous studies had suggested that the conditions on Mars made such a phenomenon possible, but this is the first concrete evidence of it. Scientists knew that Mars already had water in its ice and glaciers, but no one thought that liquid water was within the realm of possibility. This is  because Mars has no atmosphere and is extremely cold, leading them to think that any water on Mars would have to be in ice form.

The presence of liquid water on Mars is due to the unique properties of Martian soil. The soil is high in perchlorate salts, which make water freeze at much lower temperatures than on Earth. These salts cause the soil to absorb water vapor at night, forming small pools.

Making these findings all the more fascinating is the fact that Curiosity made the discovery on a part of the planet that is known to be drier than others. This means that the phenomenon is most likely more pronounced elsewhere.

Although there is liquid water, that does not mean their is life on Mars. Vox notes that the conditions at which the water forms are still much, much colder than the conditions thought to be necessary for the genesis of organic life.

As humans cast their eyes to the stars again, with some even planning a trip to Mars, the news of liquid water on Mars is sure to ignite imaginations.