Researchers have revealed an evidence of a massive underground lake which has been detected for the first time on Mars hidden below the planet’s southern ice sheets, raising the possibility of more water, according to a paper published today in the journal Science.
According to a online report of 25 July in ‘Science’ by planetary scientist Roberto Orosei of the National Institute of Astrophysics in Bologna, Italy and his colleagues, The lake sits under the planet’s south polar ice cap, and is about 20km across.
“This is potentially a really big deal,” says planetary scientist Briony Horgan of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. “It’s another type of habitat in which life could be living on Mars today.”
The discovery was made using Marsis, a radar instrument on board the European Space Agency’s (Esa) Mars Express orbiter.
Previous research found possible signs of intermittent liquid water flowing on the martian surface, but this is the first sign of a persistent body of water on the planet in the present day.
Some experts are skeptical of the possibility since the lake is so cold and briny, and mixed with a heavy dose of dissolved Martian salts and minerals.
This new finding comes from research using the Mars Express spacecraft that has been orbiting the red planet since December 25, 2003.
Scientists are eager to find signs of contemporary water, because such discoveries are key to unlocking the mystery of whether life ever formed on Mars in its ancient past, or if it might persist today.
The temperature is likely below the freezing point of pure water, but can remain liquid due to the presence of magnesium, calcium, and sodium.
“This is a discovery of extraordinary significance, and is bound to heighten speculation about the presence of living organisms on the Red Planet,” said Fred Watson of the Australian Astronomical Observatory.
> Shatabdi Sarker Poushi
