For more than fifteen years, the search for any sign of water on Mars has finally been found conclusive. Findings from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provided the definite evidence that water flows periodically throughout Mars. Using a spectrometer on the MRO, researchers saw hydrated minerals that are seen as streaks. These streaks fade in cooler seasons and seem to flow down as well as darken during the warmer seasons. These flows are called recurring slop linea and the finding of the hydrated minerals cause the darker colors seen on the streaks. Hydrated minerals such as perchlorates have helped interpret the spectral signatures of hydrated salts at several RSL locations. Perchlorates were found by the Curiosity rover and the Phoenix Lander.
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Although some evidence had already been found in 2000 because of gullies, this idea was very controversial. Scientists believe, due to observations, that at one point, Mars was covered by oceans and rivers. It was once able to support life in some of its areas because of its warm and wet temperatures. Yet, owing to its small size it has less gravity and a thinner atmosphere than Earth. Evidently, 87% of water has been lost to space due to evaporation. According to NASA, around 4.3 billion years ago its ocean held more water than the Arctic Ocean. It would have occupied half of Mars’ northern hemisphere and reaching depths of a mile or greater in numerous areas. As scientist compare the ratio of HDO (hydrogen replaced by a heavier atom termed deuterium) to H2O they can measure the atmospheric changes of Mars throughout the years as well as the amount of water that has been lost to space. Mars is not the dry, desert planet that people know it to
Although some evidence had already been found in 2000 because of gullies, this idea was very controversial. Scientists believe, due to observations, that at one point, Mars was covered by oceans and rivers. It was once able to support life in some of its areas because of its warm and wet temperatures. Yet, owing to its small size it has less gravity and a thinner atmosphere than Earth. Evidently, 87% of water has been lost to space due to evaporation. According to NASA, around 4.3 billion years ago its ocean held more water than the Arctic Ocean. It would have occupied half of Mars’ northern hemisphere and reaching depths of a mile or greater in numerous areas. As scientist compare the ratio of HDO (hydrogen replaced by a heavier atom termed deuterium) to H2O they can measure the atmospheric changes of Mars throughout the years as well as the amount of water that has been lost to space. Mars is not the dry, desert planet that people know it to