Robot Curiosity finds evidence of salty liquid water on Mars – The Universe

Whether Mars may have had or has a livable environment is one of the objectives of Curiosity robot, which has now found evidence of liquid salt water (brine) on the red planet, at least in the first five centimeters of soil Gale crater and overnight.

Since the Curiosity (NASA) landed on the surface of Mars in August 2012 has been sending a battery of data have shown, among others, the presence of fluctuations of methane in the atmosphere of this planet or fixed nitrogen in sediments.

These findings could be related to a possible biological activity. And is that the nitrogen, for example, is known to be an essential element for life, also water.

Now, with Spanish and Russian REMS instrument DAN, Curiosity has found that in the Mars Gale Crater conditions

will be met and there brine, salt-laden water. The results of this new finding published in the journal Nature Geoscience, in a team led by Javier Martin-Torres article, the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences (CSIC and the University of Granada) and Lulea University of Technology (Sweden).

“This is the first evidence that conditions exist on Mars is found so that there is liquid water, “detailed Efe this researcher, who has however stated that these environmental conditions occur at night and not during the day.

This is because Mars differences Day and night are radical: to 90 degrees difference in temperature and relative humidity in the environment that can vary from 100% of the night and close to 0% during the day

Y. What conditions are encountered by the Curiosity for researchers deduced that there brine night?

As explained Martin-Torres, the robot has collected over a Martian year, which equates to nearly terrestres- two years and nine kilometers, data relative humidity, temperature and pressure.

Further analysis of these parameters is what has given researchers clues about the possible existence of brine.

The salts of the Martian surface would have the ability to absorb water vapor from the atmosphere during the evening and especially in winter, water would evaporate after sunrise, said the Spanish researcher.

Water on Mars

Liquid water is a prerequisite for life as we know it.

Although there are now signs the existence of liquid water on Mars, the environmental conditions of the planet prevent life, “at least as we know it”: temperatures in the crater Gale are too low for metabolism and cell reproduction, as is currently occurring on Earth, stressed Martin-Torres.

“However, the possibility of liquid water on Mars has huge implications for the habitability of the planet, for future exploration and geological processes that are related to water, “he clarified this scientific

The Gale Crater is one of the places.” less likely “on Mars there brine, because it is the hottest and dry area: “if any herein, may be in many other parts of the world”, has confirmed Alfred McEwen of the University of Arizona (USA) and co-author of the study, according to a note from NASA.

“The models and measures taken under the surface predict that below 15 inches deep salts remain hydrated during the day and throughout the year, but not in liquid phase,” added Martin-Torres in a Note CSIC

This work also provides a possible explanation for the detachment of material have been observed around the globe and that happen in the warmer periods. According to the authors, these could be caused by landslides state changes present in brines flooring materials. (I)