Space & Astronomy
Salt water pools may exist on Mars
By
T.K. RandallMarch 27, 2009 ·
0 comments
Image Credit: NASA/JPL
NASA Phoenix Mars lander has detected the presence of perchlorate salts in the planet's soil, indicating that liquid water can exist there at temperatures of -70 degrees centigrade and suggesting that pools of salty water could exist just below the surface. This news comes not long after scientists believed droplets of salt water were present on the lander's struts.
Pools of salty water might be able to exist just below the surface of Mars, planetary scientists believe. Researchers previously thought water existed largely as ice or as vapour on Mars, because of the low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. But Nasa's Phoenix lander has shown the presence in Martian soil of perchlorate salts, which can keep water liquid at temperatures of minus 70C. "
Source:
BBC News |
Comments (0)
Tags:
Please Login or Register to post a comment.