Mars Global Surveyor - Discovery of Water On Mars

Discovery of Water On Mars

On 6 December 2006 NASA released photos of two craters called Terra Sirenum and Centauri Montes which appear to show the presence of water on Mars at some point between 1999 and 2001. The pictures were produced by the Mars Global Surveyor and are quite possibly the spacecraft's final contribution to our knowledge of Mars and the question of whether life or water exists on the planet.

Hundreds of gullies were discovered that were formed from liquid water, possible in recent times. These gullies occur on steep slopes and mostly in certain bands of latitude.

A few channels on Mars displayed inner channels that suggest sustained fluid flows. The most well-known is the one in Nanedi Valles. Another was found in Nirgal Vallis.

Read more about this topic:  Mars Global Surveyor

Famous quotes containing the words discovery of, discovery, water and/or mars:

    He is not a true man of science who does not bring some sympathy to his studies, and expect to learn something by behavior as well as by application. It is childish to rest in the discovery of mere coincidences, or of partial and extraneous laws. The study of geometry is a petty and idle exercise of the mind, if it is applied to no larger system than the starry one.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    The gain is not the having of children; it is the discovery of love and how to be loving.
    Polly Berrien Berends (20th century)

    The night was thick and hazy
    When the “Piccadilly Daisy”
    Carried down the crew and captain in the sea;
    And I think the water downed ‘em;
    For they never, never found ‘em,
    And I know they didn’t come ashore with me.
    Charles Edward Carryl (1841–1920)

    It makes us, or it mars us, think on that,
    And fix most firm thy resolution.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)