Here’s What We Learned From NASA’s Major Mars Announcement

Has NASA found life on Mars? Well, in short, no. But the discovery they have made could point to the possibility of there being life, maybe. So that’s something, right?

In a press conference today, NASA scientists confirmed they have found evidence of flowing water on the surface of Mars.

NASA said last week that they had made a “major science finding” on the Red Planet, claiming that a “mystery had been solved”.

The historic finding is that liquid, briny water runs down canyons and crater walls on Mars during the summer months. It then dries up in the autumn and winter months, leaving long, dark stains on the Martian terrain, which were spotted by scientists.

Those streaks point to the existence of flowing water, as confirmed today by NASA scientists in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Tim O’Brien, Professor of astrophysics at The University of Manchester, said:

All life as we know it needs water, now we have found water on Mars there could be life. They have found a key prerequisite for life but not life itself.

 But, according to researchers, the discovery does raise the odds of the planet being home to some form of life.

Speaking to the Guardian, lead scientist on NASA’s Mars exploration programme Michael Meyer added:

There is liquid water on the surface of Mars. Because of this, we suspect that it is at least possible to have a habitable environment today.

So, fingers crossed everyone, there could be little green martians pottering around up there yet. [1]