In August 2008, NASA confirmed water on the planet Mars.
They have analysed Martian soil samples gathered by the Pheonix lander, from the surface of Mars.
How is this done from so far away, you may wonder?
Astonishingly, Pheonix has a robotic arm. It is able to reach out and scoop red soil from the Martian surface, into the spacecraft’s body. There, the soil is heated and the vapours analysed.
Water has been confirmed. It has been suspected for centuries, but only now “touched and tasted” in the words of the scientists involved.
The question of water on Mars, became a full-blown controversy in the late 1800′s.
Leading astronomers notably Percival Lowell, claimed to have observed networks of “canals”, through telescopes. Previously, they had been suggested by Shiaparelli and termed “canali”.
Quickly, it was speculated they were the work of intelligent beings – hence the notion of “Life on Mars”. Water is a prerequisite for life as we know it.
In 1898, the publication of H G Wells’ famous novel “The War of the Worlds”, added populist fuel to the debate.
Perhaps this latest discovery from NASA of water evidence, will rekindle the speculation? I’m sure, further work is needed for any proof.
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Mars absolutely fascinates me and I love learning about it and wish I could go there.
I hope we find some sort of life form on Mars, even if it’s an bacterial organism.
Flowing water definitely sparks the chances!