Salt Water On Mars

Sounds promising:

Salty, liquid water has been detected on a leg of the Mars Phoenix Lander and therefore could be present at other locations on the planet, according to analysis by a group of mission scientists led by a University of Michigan professor. This is the first time liquid water has been detected and photographed outside the Earth.

Sciencedaily

Here are a few links to additional information:


Evidence of salt water found on Mars, scientists say - correction

Washington - A group of scientists who worked on the Phoenix Mars lander last year say they have found evidence of liquid salt water on the red planet. An analysis of photographs from the lander that explored Mars for six months shows drops of what could be salty, liquid water on the legs of the lander.

They believe the droplets were kicked up from just below the planet's surface when Phoenix landed in May and say they grew and merged over time much as water particles would do.

The findings are to be presented in a report, The Physical and Thermodynamic Evidence for Liquid Water on Mars, at an astronomy conference in Texas on Monday.

"A large number of independent physical and thermodynamical evidence shows that saline water may actually be common on Mars," said the report's chief author, University of Michigan professor Nilton Renno. "Liquid water is an essential ingredient for life. This discovery has important implications to many areas of planetary exploration, including the habitability of Mars."

Scientist Smackdown: Did Mars Phoenix Find Liquid Water?


Droplets on Mars Phoenix Lander indicate water

NASA has known for decades about the presence of water and possible life on Mars - Don't discard the artificial landmarks documented on the Moon either.

Phoenix, was claimed, not to carry tools and equipment to locate life - but we keep hearing press releases about possible evidence. Is NASA being honest or, as Richard Hoagland presented, giving the new administration reasons not to have their budget restricted?

Richard Hoagland is adamant NASA will declare life on Mars within a few months.




[edit on 22-3-2009 by infinite]

awesome find!

They believe the droplets were kicked up from just below the planet's surface when Phoenix landed in May and say they grew and merged over time much as water particles would do.

what about condensation? or ambient h2o in the air?

we all know water is a link to life, and is life what they are building up to on mars?
once they announce life on mars, will they then let us in on other life they have found off-world?