Recently, water was said to have been found flowing on the surface of Mars. Yes, that’s right, water, flowing, although salty and possibly muddy, is the suspected candidate for a series of dark stripes running down from higher altitudes in the southern hemisphere region of the planet.
Water is also suspected to be locked up in ice at the polar regions of the planet, and is believed to have played an important role in the past of Mars. Some scientists are of the opinion that early Mars was covered in an ocean similar to Earth, which raises all sorts of interesting questions about whether life existed there.
Mars may have been home to organisms in the past, but probably isn’t now. Given the planet’s history in supporting a more homely climate, perhaps Mars is the first destination for human extra-planetary colonization? Is this the way forward for humanity – if not, what else are we destined to do? Besides, a one-way trip to the planet takes only about 6 months, which is two thirds of the time it took the British colonists to travel to Australia.
If humanity decides to ever send manned missions to the planet, I am sure they will bring back a wealth of knowledge about exactly where the water is to be found. Perhaps we should send Bear Grylls.
