In the most stunning revelation yesterday, scientists analyzing the latest photographs taken by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor show changes in craters that gives reasons enough to believe that water flowed on the frigid surface of the red planet in the recent years and there is a strong possibility that it’s flowing right now too or occasionally flows on it’s surface.

Life on Mars

The discovery, if it’s true, makes us believe about the probable presence of life on Mars and that it’s hospitable with a stable heat source. NASA’s hunters of extraterrestrial life in space pursued a ‘follow the water’ strategy and it has most likely come true though they’ve not seen it in actual form. The planet’s North Pole only has water ice and gives one more reason to believe that there is water out there and the possibility of microbial life too cannot be ruled out.

However, Allan Treiman, a geologist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, is doubtful of the discovery and so are many others. He said:
Nothing in the images, no matter how cool they are, proves that the flows were wet, or that they were anything more exciting than avalanches of sand and dust.

Strong Evidences

The fact that sand or dust that could also flow in the same way and produce similar results, keeps scientists on their heels before giving out any concrete conclusion. Also, not to forget, Mars’ subzero surface temperature and low atmospheric pressure makes it impossible for water to remain in liquid form and diminishes the logic behind recent finding. But, scientists back their finding by saying that liquid water is often shot up by underground geysers. However, in the past too scientists have spotted thousands of geologically young gullies that were believed to be carved by fast-moving water coursing down cliffs and steep crater walls.

Scientists have found other strong evidences examining craters and gullies with bright, light-colored deposits formed due to recent water action. NASA’s twin rovers too have sent facts that the planet once had liquid water at or near the surface.

Now what?

The latest evidences will certainly make scientists to search for extraterrestrial life with revitalized vigor in the universe. NASA’s rovers, including Spirit and two Viking landers, are already on their mission to dig out more what Mars has instored for us. However, only time will tell how far and how soon we’ll, as Stephen Hawking’s says, be able to actually leave Earth and colonize other planets, and uncover the mystery of our existence.

Via: National Geographic