Scientists find new evidence for liquid water on Mars
An international team of researchers has found new evidence for the possible existence of liquid water beneath the south polar ice cap of Mars.
The results, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, provide the first independent line of evidence, using data other than radar, that there is liquid water beneath Mars' south pole.
The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge with involvement from the University of Sheffield, used spacecraft laser-altimeter measurements of the shape of the upper surface of the ice cap to identify subtle patterns in its height.
They then showed that these patterns match computer model predictions for how a body of water beneath the ice cap would affect the surface.
Their results are in agreement with earlier ice-penetrating radar measurements that were originally interpreted to show a potential area of liquid water beneath the ice.
There has been debate over the liquid water interpretation from the radar data alone, with some studies suggesting the radar signal is not due to liquid water.
"This study gives the best indication yet that there is liquid water on Mars today because it means that two of the key pieces of evidence we would look for when searching for sub-glacial lakes on Earth have now been found on Mars," said Frances Butcher, second author of the study from the University of Sheffield.
"Liquid water is an essential ingredient for life, although it does not necessarily mean that life exists on Mars," Butcher said.
In order to be liquid at such cold temperatures, the researchers noted that the water beneath the south pole might need to be really salty, which would make it difficult for any microbial life to inhabit it.
However, it does give hope that there were more habitable
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