A new scientific surprise about Mars.. What the scientists said is very important

As part of their efforts to find out if Mars might host life in the future, scientists have discovered new evidence that points to the possibility of liquid water on the “Red Planet”.

The international research team, which included scientists from the University of Nantes, University College Dublin, the University of Cambridge and Sheffield, used radar data measuring the upper surface of the Martian ice cap to determine precise patterns in its elevation.

The research team showed that these patterns matched computer model predictions of how a body of water under the ice sheet would affect the surface.

How did the scientists reach their findings?

The team used a variety of techniques to examine data from NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor satellite on the surface relief of the part of Mars’ south polar ice cap where the radar signal was identified.

The analysis revealed a surface ripple with a length of 10 to 15 km, comprising a depression and a corresponding high area, both of which deviate from the surrounding ice surface by several metres.

This ripple in size is similar to ripples over glacial lakes here on Earth, so the scientists tested whether that ripple on the ice might be interpreted as indicating the presence of a liquid slug.

Next, the researchers ran computer simulations of the ice flow that were adapted to the specific conditions of Mars.

Next, they inserted a patch of low ripple into the simulated ice sheet where water, if present, would allow the ice to slide.

Their experiments generated ripples on the simulated ice surface that were similar in size and shape to those the team observed on the surface of the real ice sheet.

Similarities between a computer model of the ripple and actual satellite observations, along with earlier radar evidence of ice penetration, indicated that there was an accumulation of liquid water under Mars’ south polar ice cap.

The researchers’ findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, are consistent with previous ice-penetrating radar measurements that were originally interpreted to show a possible region of liquid water under the Martian ice.

What did the study authors say?

“Combining the new topographic evidence with the results of our computer model and radar data makes it likely that there is at least one region of subglacial liquid water on Mars,” says researcher Neil Arnold, from the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge.

In turn, Francis Butcher, from the University of Sheffield, said that this study provides the best indication yet that liquid water exists on Mars, because it means that two of the main clues I will look for when examining subglacial lakes on Earth, have now been found on the surface of Mars. Mars.