Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Water on Mars: How the discovery reshapes exploration of the planet

recurrent slope linea
An image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show how the appearance of dark markings on Martian slope changes with the seasons. The marks, called recurrent slope linea, extend down slopes during warmer months and fade away during cooler months.
NASA| JPL-Caltech | University of Arizona

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Liquid water is flowing on Mars. That was NASA's announcement on Monday which followed decades of study and mountains of data collected by Earthling-made spacecraft on and around the red planet.

Ancient Marts had lakes, rivers and even oceans, but this latest analysis of present-day photos from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter only confirms some damp spots on an otherwise dry surface.

Still, liquid water is understood to be a necessary ingredient for life...and evidence of life on Mars, now or in the past, would be among the most significant discoveries in all of science.

One of the men leading this search Jim Watzin. He's NASA's Program Director for Mars Exploration. He joined MPR News with Tom Weber to talk about the future of the Mars research.