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"Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like," says geophysicist Michael Manga of University of California, Berkeley.
"And water is necessary for life as we know it. I don't see why [the underground reservoir] is not a habitable environment. It's certainly true on Earth – deep, deep mines host life, the bottom of the ocean hosts life. We haven't found any evidence for life on Mars, but at least we have identified a place that should, in principle, be able to sustain life."
Mars continues to be coy about its water reserves. Previous detections identified, and then raised serious questions about water reservoirs lurking below the Martian surface. And InSight data has shown that there's not likely to be much water ice in the upper crust around the lander's location.
But if the water-rich layer now detected deeper below the surface were consistent around the entire globe of Mars, there would be enough water to fill ancient oceans, and then some, the researchers found
www.sciencealert.com...
originally posted by: gortex
The liquid water has been discovered at about 7 to 10 miles beneath the surface of Mars by analysing data from the now defunct Insight lander which was sent to detect Mars quakes , finding large bodies of liquid water inside Mars , likely containing hydro thermal vents could very well be a home for life and perhaps a source of the mystery methane spikes .... perhaps.
"Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like," says geophysicist Michael Manga of University of California, Berkeley.
"And water is necessary for life as we know it. I don't see why [the underground reservoir] is not a habitable environment. It's certainly true on Earth – deep, deep mines host life, the bottom of the ocean hosts life. We haven't found any evidence for life on Mars, but at least we have identified a place that should, in principle, be able to sustain life."
Mars continues to be coy about its water reserves. Previous detections identified, and then raised serious questions about water reservoirs lurking below the Martian surface. And InSight data has shown that there's not likely to be much water ice in the upper crust around the lander's location.
But if the water-rich layer now detected deeper below the surface were consistent around the entire globe of Mars, there would be enough water to fill ancient oceans, and then some, the researchers found
www.sciencealert.com...
There be Martians.
originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
originally posted by: gortex
The liquid water has been discovered at about 7 to 10 miles beneath the surface of Mars by analysing data from the now defunct Insight lander which was sent to detect Mars quakes , finding large bodies of liquid water inside Mars , likely containing hydro thermal vents could very well be a home for life and perhaps a source of the mystery methane spikes .... perhaps.
"Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like," says geophysicist Michael Manga of University of California, Berkeley.
"And water is necessary for life as we know it. I don't see why [the underground reservoir] is not a habitable environment. It's certainly true on Earth – deep, deep mines host life, the bottom of the ocean hosts life. We haven't found any evidence for life on Mars, but at least we have identified a place that should, in principle, be able to sustain life."
Mars continues to be coy about its water reserves. Previous detections identified, and then raised serious questions about water reservoirs lurking below the Martian surface. And InSight data has shown that there's not likely to be much water ice in the upper crust around the lander's location.
But if the water-rich layer now detected deeper below the surface were consistent around the entire globe of Mars, there would be enough water to fill ancient oceans, and then some, the researchers found
www.sciencealert.com...
There be Martians.
Well, if the water (or liquid) existed on the surface at some point, it must have a way to get from the surface to where ever it is now. Finding the giant bathtub drain on Mars might be a heck of a scientific breakthrough.
Even if the water percolates down from the surface through layers of sand, understanding how this works would be very valuable. Even better, would be understanding if any voids exist where this water is, like underground caverns, and what is the atmosphere like inside these voids.
If all this works out to be true, then Mars might be more attainable than previously thought.
Great OP, Gortex!
edit - Now all we need is to find a giant rusted out Statue of Liberty on an ancient beach!!! "Damn you all to Hell!!"
originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: UKTruth
Well, if it evaporated into the atmosphere, then logic would seem to suggest it existed on the surface to evaporate 'from'.
I'm certainly not a geology expert, but astrophysics is kind of down my alley; I'm not aware of planets which have formed with a water like substance below a solid crust. When any sort of liquid is present in a planetary core it's usually a molten form of the exterior crust in one derivative or another. Other planets, like Jupiter and Saturn, appear to be largely gas and/or liquid forms (be it ice or other).
I guess my point is...if water is below the surface of Mars, then it must have gotten there from being on the surface at some point. Thus my statement about possibility of finding a 'path' for migration of the water 'might' make that water more accessible (to preclude drilling).
originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
originally posted by: ARM19688
I think most of us would be genuinely surprised if there wasn’t life on Mars.
Define "life".
Intelligent life? Or, just living organisms?
originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
Define "life".
Intelligent life? Or, just living organisms?
originally posted by: UKTruth
originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
originally posted by: gortex
The liquid water has been discovered at about 7 to 10 miles beneath the surface of Mars by analysing data from the now defunct Insight lander which was sent to detect Mars quakes , finding large bodies of liquid water inside Mars , likely containing hydro thermal vents could very well be a home for life and perhaps a source of the mystery methane spikes .... perhaps.
"Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like," says geophysicist Michael Manga of University of California, Berkeley.
"And water is necessary for life as we know it. I don't see why [the underground reservoir] is not a habitable environment. It's certainly true on Earth – deep, deep mines host life, the bottom of the ocean hosts life. We haven't found any evidence for life on Mars, but at least we have identified a place that should, in principle, be able to sustain life."
Mars continues to be coy about its water reserves. Previous detections identified, and then raised serious questions about water reservoirs lurking below the Martian surface. And InSight data has shown that there's not likely to be much water ice in the upper crust around the lander's location.
But if the water-rich layer now detected deeper below the surface were consistent around the entire globe of Mars, there would be enough water to fill ancient oceans, and then some, the researchers found
www.sciencealert.com...
There be Martians.
Well, if the water (or liquid) existed on the surface at some point, it must have a way to get from the surface to where ever it is now. Finding the giant bathtub drain on Mars might be a heck of a scientific breakthrough.
Even if the water percolates down from the surface through layers of sand, understanding how this works would be very valuable. Even better, would be understanding if any voids exist where this water is, like underground caverns, and what is the atmosphere like inside these voids.
If all this works out to be true, then Mars might be more attainable than previously thought.
Great OP, Gortex!
edit - Now all we need is to find a giant rusted out Statue of Liberty on an ancient beach!!! "Damn you all to Hell!!"
It is thought that much of the surface water evaporated away when Mars lost it's atmosphere, but some clearly remians locked 10km below the surface.
The report says that the theory is all the trapped water would cover the entire Mars surface and be miles deep.
Going to be tough to drill 10km down though to get at the water if humans ever do colonise Mars.
I do agree with the OP though - there is a very good chance that much water means life right now on Mars.
originally posted by: 5thHead
There are areas of mars that reach 70 degrees during part of the Martian year. That's t shirt weather. (You'd still need a space suit though)
There are photos from NASA showing liquid water flowing down the sides of craters.
Also there are photos of NASA rovers where it really looks like the wheels just rolled through mud.
The Phoenix lander even captured it snowing.