An Otherworldly Watery Mystery

The discovery of fluid water on Mars is a monumental achievement in space research that has far-reaching implications for the future of mankind. It has sparked a wave of scientific interest among experts who passionately explore this fascinating red planet. This revelation has further accentuated the possibility of extraterrestrial life, past or present, on our neighboring planet, and has also nudged us closer to envisaging a human habitat on Mars in the future.

A Brief History of the Search for Martian Water

Water on Mars has been a contentious topic for scientists since the mid-19th century. Spacecrafts from as early as the Viking mission in the 1970s to NASA’s Mars Rover, Curiosity, have unearthed compelling evidence in favor of Mars having a watery past.

Viking Mission: The First Glimpse

The discovery of water ice clouds through the Viking mission triggered interest in the potential existence of water on Mars more than four decades ago.

Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)

In late 1990s, the MGS found features akin to rivers and lakes, suggesting a time, eons ago, when liquid water must have flowed on the Martian surface.

Phoenix Mars Lander

In 2008, it managed to catch a glimpse of what looked like water droplets on a probe. The Phoenix Mars Lander scooped up and detected water ice beneath the Mars surface.

Understanding Martian Water: The Sub-surface Lake

Planetary scientists have discovered what appears to be a briny lake, situated underneath the south polar ice cap of Mars. Such findings suggest that water on Mars may exist not just as tiny traces of liquid or ice, but as reasonably large bodies of water.

The discovery of this lake was made possible using radar data from the Mars Express spacecraft. A tool known as MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) was instrumental in this revelation.

How Does Martian Water Affect Possibility of Life?

Scientists have long held that water is a key ingredient to hosting life as we know it. Thus, the discovery of persistent liquid water on Mars bolsters the possible existence of microbial life.

Space Implications of Discovering Water on Mars

For future astronauts venturing into deep space, the discovery of water on Mars provides a crucial life-support resource and further could be utilized to produce hydrogen for fuel.

Water for Life Support

Water is critical for human survival, it can be separated into hydrogen and oxygen for breathable air or for use in creating energy.

Water as a Fuel

Water could be used as a source for hydrogen, which is a significant component of rocket fuel.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the discovery of water imply life on Mars?

Not definitively. However, it does lend credence to the possibility of life, given water is essential for life as we know it.

2. How was the sub-surface lake on Mars discovered?

It was discovered using MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding), a tool used on Mars Express spacecraft.

3. Could the presence of water on Mars aid human space travel?

Yes, water could be instrumental in providing life-support resources for future astronauts and also be used to create fuel.

We’re living in a scientific golden age where the wonders of technology have enabled us to peer into the cosmos like never before. The discovery of water on Mars is groundbreaking, and while we might not know everything yet, there’s something revolutionary about knowing we’re on the cusp of something great. As curious Earthlings, let’s keep our eyes on the skies and stay excited for the mysteries the cosmos has yet to reveal.

Article updated at Tuesday, October 8, 2024