Some evidence suggests the flow of water once existed on Mars had been obtained. However, evidence obtained Curiosity is the strongest, showing the rocks and gravel circular, allegedly by the flow of water.
"There's a pretty strong flow on the surface of Mars. We are happy with the present invention," said John Grotzinger of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) involved missions AP quoted on Thursday (27/09/2012).
According to scientists, rocks and pebbles most likely carried by water from a considerable distance.
Rebecca Williams from the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, who is a member of the research team Curiosity mission said that based on its size, there is no possibility of rocks carried by the wind.
Curiosity did not use the high-tech instruments held for rock drill and analyze their chemical composition. However, just by looking at the images transmitted, Grotzinger sure that water plays a role in transport rocks.
Mars today is in the form of dry desert. However, previous geological studies reveal that the first Mars wetter and warmer, allowing the presence of water in liquid form.
Bill Dietrich of the University of California, Berkeley, said that is not yet known how long the water was on Mars. However, liquid water is estimated to be in the red planet for thousands to millions of years.
The discovery traces the flow of water on Mars is a good start for Curiosity. This vehicle is itself one of them in charge of investigating the possibility of Mars to support microbial life.
To support life, at least there are three conditions that must be met, namely the existence of water in liquid form, such as energy from the Sun, and the presence of organic molecules.
Although the area is found to trace the flow stream may be able to support life, scientists are not sure where it can preserve organic molecules. Therefore, scientists will still continue to drive Curiosity to Mount Sharp, a supposedly more potential for the discovery of organic molecules.
Curiosity landing on Mars on August 5, 2012 and in Gale Crater, Mars. Since landing, Curiosity has sent some interesting pictures, including images of him shortly after landing and traces its journey on Mars. Curiosity main objective is Mount Sharp, mountain towering from Gale Crater. Curiosity is a 2-year mission cost $ 2.5 million.
Sources:AP
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