New Science - Water Signs of Life on Mars
Discovery of Underground Lake & Nearby Salt Ponds
Water Could Mean Some Form of Life Exists on Mars
There may be life on Mars. Scientists have found evidence of a large underground lake and a number of small salt ponds nearby. This discovery raises the possibility that some form of "Martian" life exists on Mars. Scientists say where there is water, there is life.
ESA's Mars Express Spacecraft
The new science comes from Europe. Italian scientists used data from the European Space Agency's Mars Express Spacecraft. They specifically analyzed data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument (the MARSIS). They determined that the lake is large - 18.6 miles by 12.4 miles. The scientists says that the subglacial lake could have important consequences for "astrobiology and the presence of habitable niches on Mars". The extra finding of a number of nearby salty ponds added to their exciting discoveries. These findings have just been documented in the journal Nature Astronomy.
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