NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity captured the astonishing phenomenon. Smudges are clearly visible in the image of the surrounding area taken by the right camera on the boom (Mastcam: Right). They stand out as dark footprints in the sand. There are several smudges. They take their origin from stones. And they look as if under them - under these stones - someone has relieved a small need.
The assumption that water has flowed out from under the stones should not seem less fantastic. Indeed, in all reference books, and in scientific papers it is noted: the current conditions on Mars do not allow water to be on the surface in liquid form. Even at the equator, where Curiosity is now located and where the temperature sometimes rises to 20 degrees Celsius. The atmospheric pressure here is very low - 160 times less than on Earth. And melt water, which may well form, evaporates quickly.
But here is the evidence obtained on August 7, 2014, the 712th Martian day of the robot's stay on the neighboring planet: smudges. If it's not water, then what ?! Most likely, the Sun heated the stone, it melted the ice under the sand, and water was obtained.
The smudge is larger - well, as if something was leaking.
Smudge located slightly to the right.
It seems that melt water on Mars does form from time to time. But it does not evaporate, but flows contrary to scientific arguments.
Promotional video:
BTW
There is definitely water ice there
In 2008, on Mars, in the North Pole region, the Phoenix apparatus, equipped with scientific instruments designed for soil analysis, operated. In June, he took several consecutive photographs. Ice is clearly visible on them. He was exposed by the scoop of the apparatus with which he took soil samples at the landing site. And you can see how this ice evaporates.
The fact that ice is water has been confirmed by experiments. The soil sample was placed in the oven (after several unsuccessful attempts). The soil was heated. Steam has gone, which was recorded by the instruments.
Ice exposed by the Phoenix scoop
Around the same time, a mid-latitude section of Mars with a fresh crater hit the lens of NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) probe. A small meteorite crashed into the planet and pierced the ground. And he laid bare what is underneath. And there - water ice, which seems to cover a vast area.
Fresh Martian crater showing ice
- Water ice may be present under the sands of Mars in an area from one third to half of the entire surface, - American researchers suggest. - Depth of occurrence - from several meters to centimeters.
But there are no comments from NASA as a result of which the sand near the Curiosity robot was stained.