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Rover Finds Ancient Streambed On Martian Surface

Posted by samzenpus on from the low-flow-planet dept.

sighted writes "NASA reports that its Curiosity rover mission has found evidence that a stream once ran vigorously — and for a sustained amount of time — across the area on Mars where the rover is driving. There is, of course, earlier evidence for the presence of water on Mars, but NASA says this evidence, images of rocks containing ancient streambed gravels, is the first of its kind."

4 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Water, or some other fluid? by TWX · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There are other fluids than water that can sustain a semicolloidal solution or carry sediments. I assume that scientists now have to figure out what fluid flowed, rather than simply assuming that it had to be water.

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    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
    1. Re:Water, or some other fluid? by yincrash · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Both mercury and bromine could be liquid at reasonable temperatures. Both are also just as unlikely to be in amounts to have streams.

    2. Re:Water, or some other fluid? by jhoegl · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yes, but since humans havent been on Mars (that we know of), toxic sludge isnt one of them.

  2. Re:Props to submitter and editor by sighted · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So glad you found it useful, and thank you for saying so. If, however - just for the sake of familiarity - people still want a link to some random guy's website, here's my latest space-related project: http://www.ridingwithrobots.org/earth Except it still doesn't have ads. Oh well, what can you do?

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    Saddle up: Riding with Robots