NASA's Groundbreaking Discovery: Vast Underground Ocean Found On Mars Sparks New Hope For Life

The first evidence of water on Mars was found in 2004 by NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. But now NASA has found an ocean full of water. Yes, you read it right. This find, based on data from a retired NASA mission, opens up new possibilities for understanding the planet's history and the potential for life.

Our cosmic neighbour Mars, the mysterious Red Planet, has long intrigued scientists and dreamers alike with its barren, rusty landscapes. Now beneath the dusty plains of Mars, there is a vast reservoir of water. This reservoir is believed to be trapped in the tiny cracks. NASA says that the water is hidden between tiny cracks and pores of rock. However there is a problem, we can't start drilling anytime soon. The data from NASA's Insight lander indicate the water is hidden between 11.5 and 20 kilometres beneath the surface. However, the amount of water contained in this mid-crust zone is huge. It could cover the entire planet to a depth of 1.6 kilometres.

"Understanding the Martian water cycle is critical for understanding the evolution of the climate, surface and interior," said Vashan Wright, Assistant Professor, at the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institute of Oceanography. His detailed findings will appear this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

MARS' WET PAST: NEW CLUES FROM UNDERGROUND SEA

The recent findings of NASA are based on computer modelling and seismic measurements from NASA's InSight lander. Scientists analysed the data collected from the lander which landed on Mars in 2018. The lander carried a seismometer which was designed to detect Mars quakes (similar to earthquakes). The aim was to understand the geology of the plant. The spacecraft detected more than 1,300 marsquakes before shutting down two years ago.

Earlier, topographic surveys by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor have shown that the planet was wet in its past. It could have been born with more water in proportion to its mass than the Earth. Mars is believed to have been warmer and wetter billions of years ago, with rivers, lakes, and possibly even oceans covering its surface. However, as Mars gradually lost its atmosphere, the water disappeared from view, leaving behind the dry and desolate world we see today.

However before we get too excited, extracting this water would be a difficult task. "On Earth, you often have to circulate fluids, whether that be liquid water or mud to make drilling a little bit easier. You also need the power capabilities and you need to bring those things on Mars or make them on the planet. So that would be really challenging, "said Vashan Wright.

LIFE ON MARS? UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR SPARKS HOPE

This new evidence suggests that instead of escaping entirely, much of Mars' water may have simply moved underground, where it remains locked away. This discovery could be crucial, as accessing this water would be vital for sustaining human missions to Mars. Moreover, the presence of liquid water raises the exciting possibility that Mars could have once harboured life-and who knows, life in some form might be hidden under the Martian surface.