Image copyright AFP Scientists exploring Mars, stated that the dark streaks appearing on the surface of the planet during the warmer months, can be formed on the site of periodic streams of water in a liquid state.
The images from NASA on the slopes of the mountains visible characteristic bands, similar to salt deposits.
In a study conducted by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology under the direction of astronomer Ludzhendry Oji and published in the journal Nature Geoscience, points out that these data may mean that on Mars, and now there may be in some form of life, since the presence of water increases the probability of the existence of primitive forms, such as microbes.
Is there life on Mars?
Scientists have long questioned whether there is water on Mars is now in liquid form. Observations and studies over the past 15 years, frozen streams allow salt to make a few assumptions.
Space orbiter NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is on board the machine Crism, able to determine the chemical composition of materials on the surface of the planet. Device with four different points fixes the direction of movement of salt flows through the Martian summer.
Crism determined that these flows are composed of sodium perchlorate, chlorate and chloride, which can lower the freezing point of water.
Given that the temperature of the planet is usually well below zero Celsius, it can be assumed that water, if available, will be longer remain in the liquid state because of the salts.
Scientists believe that the freezing point may be -80 degrees Celsius. And given the low atmospheric pressure, boiling occurs at 10 degrees.
The average temperature on Mars is about -62 degrees, the highest temperature in summer can reach 21 degrees. Scientists have noticed that the line appears just when conditions are warm enough for the existence of liquid water.
whence?
At the same while it is not clear where this water comes, who left traces of salt. The researchers, using data from the orbiter, rotating in the equatorial region, suggest that water supplies may occur at great depth in the form of ice.
There is also speculation that the salt absorb water vapor from the atmosphere of the planet.
And there is speculation that some aquifers are raised to the surface. The places where they may be expected to be, however, does not coincide with the places where there are salt flows.
Scientists believe that these bands can occur in different parts of the world from different sources of water.
Dr Joe Michalski from London’s Natural History Museum said that if it is confirmed the presence of water on Mars, you can have confidence in the detection of there are some forms of life.
“On Earth, even in extremely arid areas, if we find water, we find life. So the discovery of water on Mars – this is a very important discovery,” – he says.
At the same time, if Mars has water, scientists have to decide whether they can send in these regions of the world their spacecraft.
Expert UK Space Agency Dr. Peter Grayndrod in interviews Bi-bi-si said that according to generally accepted rules, you can not send the Earth spacecraft in the places where there may be water, and consequently, and forms of life.
“We can not ensure the sterility of our vehicles, traveling in space, and hence the microbes with them can get in there and be a danger to the life.
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