Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Streaking On Mars

No, not that kind of streaking.

Streaks appear running down slopes on Mars, in the mid-latitude and now in the equatorial regions.   They appear seasonally, in the warmest parts of the Martian year.  Some scientists think the streaks are caused by flowing salt water-- salt water stays liquid at lower temperatures than fresh water-- or brine.

If it is water, it suggests there's a lot more water near the surface than previously thought.  That would alter the picture for possible past life on Mars, extant life, and possible future human colonization.

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