Advertisement

  1. National

Nasa: Mars has flowing water

Flowing liquid water is almost certainly responsible for mysterious features on Mars that change with the seasons, scientists believe.

Satellite images have identified narrow streaks, typically less than five metres wide, that appear on slopes during warm seasons, lengthen, and then fade when conditions become cooler.

Experts have speculated that water might be involved in the formation of the gully-like features, known as recurring slope lineae (RSL), but only now has evidence supporting the theory come to light.

View all 9 updates ›

Live: Has Nasa discovered water on Mars?

Nasa have announced that liquid water "almost certainly" exists on Mars.

In a press conference, the space exploration agency said it has discovered that seasonal changes to the Martian landscape are caused by flowing water on the surface of the planet.

"Under certain circumstances, liquid water has been found on Mars" - Nasa Planetary Science Director Jim Green, said in the briefing.

Liquid water on the surface of Mars could support life and "may affect future human exploration," according to Nasa.

The live announcement has now ended.

More on this story