Evidence found of 'flowing liquid water' on Mars: NASA

[Buster's Uncle]

Evidence found of 'flowing liquid water' on Mars: NASA
CNBC.com
Robert Ferris | @RobertoFerris | 37 Mins Ago



Streaks on the slopes of Mars’ surface are formed by water, say scientists.    Source: NASA



Scientists have discovered the strongest evidence yet that "flowing liquid water" exists on Mars, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Monday morning.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter identified evidence of "hydrated minerals" called perchlorates that have formed streaks on slopes on Mars' surface, the agency said.

Some perchlorates are able to keep water from freezing even at temperatures as cold as -94 degrees Fahrenheit. The perchlorates on Mars are forming the streaks, called recurring slope lineae (RSL), on the Martian slopes during the planet's warm season, when temperatures climb above -10 degrees Fahrenheit. The streaks then disappear during the cold season.

"Something is hydrating these salts, and it appears to be these streaks that come and go with the seasons," Lujendra Ojha, one of the researchers on the project, said in a statement. "This means the water on Mars is briny, rather than pure. It makes sense, because salts lower the freezing point of water. Even if RSL are slightly underground, where it's even colder than the surface temperature, the salts would keep the water in a liquid form and allow it to creep down Martian slopes."

The team is publishing its findings in the journal Nature Geoscience.


http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/28/

[Lorizael]

Might have to erase some of the notes I took in my planetary geology class...

[Buster's Uncle]

This is pretty big...

[Lorizael]

My planetary geology professor talked about this today. Her stance was twofold: (1) this is cool, but it's an incremental piece of science and she's not sure why NASA decided to make a big deal about it. Recurrent slope lineae, their seasonal variation, and perchlorates on Mars are all old news. The story here is putting all those pieces together. (2) This is another reason why we should continue robotic exploration of Mars and not send humans. RSL are everywhere, they're toxic, and they could prove hazardous if astronauts were to suddenly find themselves on a muddy Martian slope.

Not sure I buy that second point, but it's something interesting to consider. There is mounting evidence that the surface of Mars is an active place, even if the planet itself is geologically dead.

[Buster's Uncle]

Probes are a better science bang for your buck, no real doubt - but sending dudes has an intangible value.  It's more interesting.  It's better politics, which God help us, matters.

Seriously higher difficulty level, besides, so lots more Heinlein effect, too.