Mars, as seen through The Hubble Space Telescope
Friday August 1,2008 By Julia White for express.co.uk
Friday August 1,2008 By Julia White for express.co.uk
THE TRUTH, it seems, really is out there.
The prospect of alien life has moved a step closer as NASA confirmed it has 'categorically' found proof of water on Mars.
The space agency revealed its Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft had 'touched and tasted' the liquid - which is essential to the development of all known life forms.
It means the chances of finding life elsewhere in our solar system are hugely increased.
NASA scientist William Boynton, from the University of Arizona, said: "We have water.
"We've seen evidence for this water ice before in observations by the Mars Odyssey orbiter and in disappearing chunks observed by Phoenix last month.
"But this is the first time Martian water has been touched and tasted."
It means the chances of finding life elsewhere in our solar system are hugely increased.
NASA scientist William Boynton, from the University of Arizona, said: "We have water.
"We've seen evidence for this water ice before in observations by the Mars Odyssey orbiter and in disappearing chunks observed by Phoenix last month.
"But this is the first time Martian water has been touched and tasted."
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander
The robot heated up soil in one of its instruments earlier this week and scientists say the chemical test confirms the presence of ice near the Martian north pole.
Until now, the evidence for ice has been circumstantial. That was based on photos Phoenix took of a hard area near its landing site and changes it saw in a trench.
Phoenix landed in the Martian arctic on May 25 on a three-month digging mission.
NASA said it was now extending the mission an additional two months.
The robot heated up soil in one of its instruments earlier this week and scientists say the chemical test confirms the presence of ice near the Martian north pole.
Until now, the evidence for ice has been circumstantial. That was based on photos Phoenix took of a hard area near its landing site and changes it saw in a trench.
Phoenix landed in the Martian arctic on May 25 on a three-month digging mission.
NASA said it was now extending the mission an additional two months.
