mars water flows. ancient and contemporary.
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ancient water flows. mars. nasa mars exploration.
this image shows the central mountains of hale crater on mars, one for four locations on the planet where scientists confirmed today the existence of flowing saltwater rivers called recurring slope lineae (rsl). these active flows are seasonal and extend downhill from bedrock cliffs, mostly towards the northwest (lower right). image credit: nasa/jpl-caltech/university of arizona new findings from nasa’s mars reconnaissance orbiter (mro) provide the strongest evidence yet that liquid water flows intermittently on present-day mars. using an imaging spectrometer, researchers detected signatures of hydrated minerals on slopes where dark streaks are seen on the red planet. these appear to ebb and flow over time. they appear to flow down steep slopes during warm seasons, and then fade in cooler seasons. they appear when temperatures are above minus 10 degrees fahrenheit (minus 23 celsius), and disappear at colder times.
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