Recently, the NASA released one of the most fascinating news of recent years: the discovery of a gigantic reserve of liquid water beneath the surface of Mars. The data, obtained thanks to the probe InSightindicate that this reservoir could be so large that it covers the entire planet with a layer of water between 1 and 2 kilometers high.
The mystery of missing water on Mars
Mars It is known as the Red Planet, but millions of years ago, it was covered in rivers, lakes and even oceans. After a series of dramatic climate changes, the planet lost its dense atmosphere, turning into the arid desert we see today. But What What happened to all that water?
For a long time it was thought that Mars had released its water into space due to the lack of a magnetic field, which allowed the solar wind to sweep away the atmosphere. However, new analyzes suggest that the water may have retreated deep into the Martian crust.
An ocean hidden beneath the surface
Scientists analyzed seismic data collected by the InSight probe from 2018 to 2022, focusing on the planet’s middle crust, between 11 and 20 kilometers below the surface. Here, temperatures may be high enough to keep water in liquid form. Analyzes indicate that about 17% of the rock in this region is porous and filled with water.
This discovery leads to an exciting conclusion: Mars may have enough water hidden in its depths to form a subterranean ocean capable of covering the entire planet.
Possibility of life beneath the Martian surface?
Water is an essential prerequisite for lifeat least as we know it on Earth. Some scientists believe that this underground ocean could represent an ideal environment for microbial life. Despite there is no concrete evidence yet, the discovery opens up new possibilities for future exploration.
The discovery of a potential underground ocean on Mars marks a fundamental chapter in space research. Although current technology does not yet allow access to these water reserves, the implications for science and the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life forms are immense.
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