The existence of a liquid water lake increases the probability of finding life on Mars | Science



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Italian researchers have announced that for the first time there is evidence of the presence on March of liquid water, in addition to salt, in an underground lake under a layer of ice, thanks to the results of the radar installed in the Mars Express probe of the European Space Agency (ESA). 19659004] The important discovery concludes that in an area called Southern Plamun, located in the ice layer of the south pole of Mars, the profile drawn by the radar is very similar to that of the large lakes of liquid water found under Antarctica and Greenland on Earth

For Alberto González Fairén, of the Center for Astrobiology (CAB), in Madrid, it is "the scientific discovery of the year" and the discovery of this liquid water makes it much more possible that there is life in the sea te ", an opinion shared by José Antonio Rodríguez Manfredi, also CAB:" This increases the chances of finding life;

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For González Fairén, with this discovery and with the discovery of organic compounds that the Curiosity rover did a month ago, "Now we know that Mars has the basic ingredients of which all living things are made : liquid water and organic compounds. "

This scientist told Efe that, in any case, it could be that what Mars Express has detected, this is not a lake in the strict sense of being a blueprint. Clean water, like sub-Antarctic lakes, but only sediment saturated with water, that is, very wet mud

However, this would not diminish the importance of discovery: any interface between rock particles or soil and liquid water, even tiny droplets, is an ideal habitat for microorganisms.

Read also: 10 years could be corroborated the existence of life on Mars

This is a first result, said this researcher CAB-center of the Higher Council of Research Scientific and National Institute of Aerospace Technology, which has pointed out that "there could be other areas on Mars with underground lakes, even more accessible areas for our robots (the poles are places of difficult access ). "

Therefore, look for evidence of life or remain below the surface "is the next indisputable goal in the exploration of Mars."

In this regard, he explained that the next two rovers that will be sent to the Red Planet in 2020 (ExoMars of ESA and Mars2020 from NASA) share this priority goal: "C & # 39; is an extraordinary moment in planetary exploration. "

Read also: The chances of finding life on Mars increase, after a new discovery of NASA

Javier Armentia, astronomer and director of the Pamplona Planetarium, acknowledged that it is one of the most "Relevant" discoveries of Mars and of the year, and said that the MARSIS radar installed in the Mars Express probe confirmed that there is a phenomenon that occurs on Earth, which in the great mbades of ice there There are lakes.

"The detection with this radar is quite reliable and if there is water per kilometer the mechanisms are there and are possible." Can the living conditions be given then? Now, it is legitimate to ask him, "he added.

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