Found on Mars, water can serve as the basis for a unique life – CNews.ru

NASA confirmed the presence of water on Mars. This ice-cocktail that appears on the surface in the warm season, and can support the unique types of organisms

The new observations probe Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) convincingly prove the fact of the presence of liquid water on the surface of Mars. Dark streaks in images taken probe, identified as liquid water that flows in streams along the slopes of the crater Hale on the plain Argir (35.7 ° S 323.4 ° E). Scientists have discovered on the slopes of the crater, hydrated salt, which prove that the dark bands are really water. But these flows of their properties are very different from terrestrial mountain streams.

The dark band of approximately 100 m are traces of water streams

The dark bands can be seen in several places on Mars. This phenomenon is even given a name: repetitive elongated structure on the slopes (recurring slope lineae abbreviated RSL). Researchers have long suspected that the RSL – is the result of exposure to liquid water. Stripes appear in the warm season, when the temperature rises above -23 degrees Celsius, and then disappear as the temperature decreases.

The dark bands RSL found in various regions of Mars

The new data show the presence of local RSL hydrated salts similar to those used to accelerate the melting of ice and snow on the roads. Rather, upon the occurrence of the warm season the small underground springs come to the surface. The water is so salty that it does not freeze even in extreme cold.

Spectral signatures of Martian hydrated salts indicate the presence of the mixture of magnesium perchlorate and sodium. Some perchlorates able to maintain the water in liquid state even at very low temperatures down to -70 degrees Celsius. On Earth, perchlorates of natural origin can be found in deserts. Perchlorate is also used as a component of rocket fuel.

The dark bands in the crater Horowitz

So, first discovered on Mars are not Only liquid water, but also perchlorate, which can tell a lot about the geology of the Red Planet, and in the future – useful Martian colonists as minerals. Unfortunately, the discovery of water is not evidence of life on the planet. However, we now know that beneath the surface of Mars, there are water-saturated layers, which can become a refuge for living organisms. These organisms must possess a number of unique properties, such as the ability to absorb the salty water. Furthermore, if the organisms are located on the surface together with water, they can be relatively easily detected by unmanned vehicles running on the surface of Mars.