Scientists discovered large reserves of water on Mars

 

June 27, 2012

 

There is strong evidence indicating the existence of vast underground reserves of water on Mars. The finding, which involved a surprise, it reinforces the idea that the Red Planet can, or could at some point, support life. And it increases the chances of establishing human colonies there in the near future.

The issue of water on Mars has been debated for more than a century. First, the late nineteenth century, were the famous canals of Mars became known. Later, in full space age, came the discovery of ancient river valleys and sea revealing a past Martian water-rich surface. And in 2003, finally, the Mars Odyssey detected for the first time, small particles water ice just below the surface of Mars. Something that was confirmed some years later “in situ” by the Phoenix mission.

There is no doubt that on the surface of Mars, or very near it, there was water. But things are not so clear at the time of establishing the existence or not of water reserves also in the basement of the planet. One issue that is of the utmost importance to understand the geological history (and probably biological) of this world that is now even more like Earth.