http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6214834.stm

So, a few scientists, found some fresh gullies on the surface of mars, and data from the landscape suggests that there may have been water flowing very recently.

WE COULD HAVE MISSED THIS?



What ever happened to the missing satellite, too? Well anyways the rest of their article.

The appearance of gullies, revealed in orbital images from a Nasa probe, suggests that water could have flowed on the surface in the last few years.

But some scientists think these fresh gullies could also have been cut by liquid carbon dioxide (CO2).

The latest research emerged when Nasa's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft spotted gullies and trenches that scientists believed were geologically young and carved by fast-moving water coursing down cliffs and steep crater walls.

Scientists at the San Diego-based Malin Space Science Systems, who operate a camera aboard MGS decided to retake photos of thousands of gullies in search of evidence for recent water activity.


We're now realising Mars is more active than we previously thought, and that the mid-latitude section seems to be where all the action is
Phil Christensen, Arizona State University
Two gullies that were originally photographed in 1999 and 2001, and imaged again in 2004 and 2005, showed changes consistent with water flowing down the crater walls, according to the study.

In both cases, scientists found bright, light-coloured deposits in the gullies that were not present in the original photos. They concluded that the deposits - possibly mud, salt or frost - were left there when water recently cascaded through the channels.

Other scientists think it possible that gullies like this were caused not by water but by liquid carbon dioxide.

One of the reasons for favouring CO2 was that computer models of the Martian crust indicated water could exist only at depths of several kilometres. Liquid carbon dioxide, on the other hand, could persist much nearer the surface where temperatures can drop as low as -107C.

[Edited on December 8, 2006 at 2:21 AM. Reason : img]

12/8/2006 2:20:59 AM

/message_topic.aspx?topic=448693

did you even try to look?

12/8/2006 2:25:07 AM

Oh shit, my bad.

I checked the bbc

[Edited on December 8, 2006 at 2:51 AM. Reason : Lock this]

12/8/2006 2:49:03 AM

what if it wasnt water

what if it was super hot liquid mecury that was the martian version of the fountain of youth

but instead of making you live forever, it gave you giardia and caused your wrists to instantly snap

that would be some crazy shit

12/8/2006 7:54:57 AM

Somewhere, Richard C. Hoagland's saying "told you so"

12/8/2006 8:48:52 PM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=448693

12/9/2006 1:14:38 AM

[Edited on December 9, 2006 at 1:49 AM. Reason : Fuck, nevermind.]

12/9/2006 1:49:10 AM