Discovery of Liquid Water Deep Beneath Mars' Surface

Water on Mars

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Context:

According to a new study, there could be oceans’ worth of liquid water deep in the rocky outer crust of Mars.
While scientists have known about water ice at the Martian poles for a long time, this is the first time they have discovered liquid water on the planet.
The study, ‘Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust’, was published last week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
It was carried out by Vashan Wright, Matthias Morzfeld, and Michael Manga of the University of California San Diego.

Details:

Mars, our neighboring planet, has long intrigued scientists and space enthusiasts alike.
The recent discovery of liquid water deep beneath its surface marks a significant breakthrough in Martian exploration.
This finding could reshape our understanding of Mars' geological and climatic history, hinting at more complex processes at play than previously thought.

Findings of the Report

The Discovery

A study has discovered the presence of oceans’ worth of liquid water trapped deep within Mars' rocky outer crust.
To reach this conclusion, researchers employed a sophisticated geophysical model, similar to those used on Earth to locate underground aquifers and oil reserves.
The data analyzed came from NASA's InSight Lander, which has been meticulously studying Mars' subsurface.

Methodology

The researchers utilized seismic data from the InSight mission.
The findings indicate that deep below Mars' surface lies a layer of fractured igneous rock, likely granite, with its cracks filled with liquid water.
This discovery is reflective; if the measurements at the InSight Lander's location are representative of the entire planet, the trapped water could theoretically fill an ocean 1-2 kilometers deep across Mars.

Implications

Firstly, it enriches our understanding of the Martian water cycle, providing clues about the planet's climate evolution.
The existence of liquid water raises the tantalizing possibility of discovering a habitable environment on Mars.
While it does not confirm life, the presence of liquid water is a key prerequisite for life as we know it.

Historical Context

Scientists have known about water ice at the Martian poles for decades.
However, this is the first instance of discovering liquid water, which could transform our approach to future missions.
This newfound reservoir of water could support human exploration and the possibility of establishing a permanent presence on Mars.

Future Research

Moving forward, scientists aim to explore whether this subsurface water extends across the planet or is localized.
Additionally, understanding the chemical composition of this water could provide insights into the potential for life and how it has interacted with Mars' geology over time.

Life on Mars

Historical Context	The possibility of life on Mars has intrigued scientists for centuries.
	Early speculation was driven by the discovery of Martian polar ice caps, Earth-like day length, and axial tilt.
	Early 20th-century observations of "canals" on Mars led to speculations about a Martian civilization, which were later debunked.
Current Scientific Understanding	Modern investigations focus on finding evidence of microbial life, particularly in ancient Martian environments where liquid water once existed.
	Rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance are central to these efforts, searching for biosignatures in soil and rocks.
	While no conclusive evidence of life has been found, the discovery of organic compounds and methane on Mars suggests that life could have existed or may still exist, especially underground.
Environmental Conditions	Mars' current surface is hostile, with intense ionizing radiation, perchlorate-rich soil, and low temperatures.
	Ancient Mars had a more favorable environment with liquid water, making it potentially habitable billions of years ago.
Significance	Astrobiological Potential: The discovery of a potential underground water reservoir enhances Mars' astrobiological potential, as liquid water is key for life.
	Human Exploration: These findings are crucial for future Mars missions, especially those involving human colonization, as water is essential for survival. Knowing its location and quantity will inform mission planning.

Conclusion

The discovery of liquid water on Mars is a monumental step in our quest to understand the Red Planet.
By unlocking the secrets of Mars' water cycle, we may not only learn more about the planet's past but also about the potential for future human habitation.
This finding ignites hope and curiosity, driving further exploration and study.

MISSIONS OF MARS

Mission Name	Year	Country/Agency	Objective	Key Achievements
Mariner 4	1964	USA/NASA	First successful flyby of Mars	Returned the first close-up images of Mars, showing a cratered surface and no evidence of canals.
Viking 1 & 2	1975	USA/NASA	To land on Mars and search for signs of life	First successful Mars landers; conducted experiments to detect life and took detailed images of the Martian surface.
Mars Pathfinder	1996	USA/NASA	Demonstrate technology for future Mars missions	Deployed the Sojourner rover, the first successful rover on Mars, which analyzed rocks and soil.
Mars Global Surveyor	1996	USA/NASA	To map Mars and study its atmosphere and surface	Provided detailed maps of Mars' surface, discovered evidence of past water flow, and monitored the planet's climate.
Spirit & Opportunity	2003	USA/NASA	Explore the geology and past climate of Mars	Discovered strong evidence of past water activity, such as ancient lakebeds and mineral deposits formed in water.
Mars Express	2003	Europe/ESA	To study Mars' atmosphere, surface, and subsurface	Discovered evidence of water ice in Mars' polar regions and subsurface.
Curiosity Rover	2011	USA/NASA	Assess Mars' habitability and study its climate and geology	Found evidence of ancient habitable environments with conditions that could have supported microbial life.
Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)	2013	India/ISRO	Demonstrate India's ability to reach Mars and study its surface and atmosphere	First Indian mission to Mars; provided data on Martian surface features, morphology, and atmosphere; successful on first attempt.
InSight	2018	USA/NASA	Study the interior of Mars	First mission dedicated to studying Mars' deep interior; detected Marsquakes and provided insights into the planet's structure.
Perseverance Rover	2020	USA/NASA	Search for signs of ancient life and collect samples for future return	Landed in Jezero Crater; collected rock and soil samples, deployed the Ingenuity helicopter, and searched for biosignatures.
Tianwen-1	2020	China/CNSA	Orbit, land, and deploy a rover on Mars	China's first successful Mars mission; deployed the Zhurong rover, which studied Martian topography, soil, and atmosphere.
Hope Mars Mission	2020	UAE/UAESA	Study the Martian atmosphere and climate	First Arab mission to Mars; provided comprehensive data on Martian weather patterns, atmosphere, and climate cycles.

FOR DETAILS REGARDING InSight landed on Mars- VISIT LINK- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/insight-lander

KNOW IN DETAIL ABOUT- MARS MISSIONS- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/chapea-project#:~:text=NASA's%20CHAPEA%20project%20is%20a,success%20of%20future%20Mars%20expeditions.

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/olympus-mons

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/ingenuity-helicopter

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/perseverance-rover-2

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/craters-on-mars

Reference

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/liquid-water-mars-9522348/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_missions_to_Mars

https://science.nasa.gov/mars/

https://www.isro.gov.in/MarsOrbiterMissionSpacecraft.html

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

Mariner 4 was the first spacecraft to successfully fly by Mars and send back close-up images of the planet's surface.
Viking 1 and 2 were the first missions to successfully land on Mars and conduct experiments to search for signs of life.
Mangalyaan was the first Mars mission to detect water ice in the Martian polar regions.

Which of the above-given statements regarding Mars missions is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A