The idea of "water on Mars" is not new. In fact, previous missions to the Red Planet have detected multiple traces of the precious substance, fueling for decades the possibility of life on its surface. However, NASA scientists confirmed yesterday that under well-defined circumstances, it is possible to find liquid water on Mars. The announcement carries some asterisks, but at the same time revitalizes our relationship with Mars, and makes plans for a manned mission much more attractive.
So Close, Yet So Far
After having completed our visits to the Moon, Mars automatically became the next target. The Soviet Union wanted to arrive before the end of the century, but we all know how that turned out. NASA continues to amaze with the images sent by its probes, yet in the corridors there is still murmuring about budget issues. The United States has entered the election campaign, and with an administration change on the horizon, the world of science worries... but does not stop. A testament to this is the announcement made by the space agency yesterday: liquid water flows through canyons and descends into Martian craters during summer and spring seasons, and with that detail, the classic question arises once more: Is there any possibility of life there?.
According to John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA, the possibility exists, although it will be necessary to describe how it can survive under such extreme conditions. The liquid water present on Mars is much closer to brine (or brackish water) than to the fresh water available on Earth, to the point that the official publication talks about hydrated salts. If we follow the experts' explanation, the composition of the salts not only allows the liquid state to be maintained at low temperatures, but also provides greater resistance to the inevitable evaporation process stimulated by the Martian atmosphere.
Where Does the Water Come From?
One of the big questions scientists must now answer is: Where does the water come from?. The main theories are two. The first describes the salts as a sponge, absorbing moisture directly from the air. The researchers admit that relative humidity measurements near the surface are quite weak, but preliminary data indicate too low humidity on average. The second possibility is aquifer veins beneath the surface, which remain frozen during the Martian winter, and emerge once temperatures are more favorable. Something tells me NASA will reveal more data in the coming days. The story of Mars is far from over..
