scientist have base that sorry streaks on Mars , once thought to be formed by fluent water , are probably have by falling detritus and grit instead . Bummer .
The features are known as resort slope lineae ( RSL ) , and in 2015 they were thecause of headlinesaround the world proclaiming water had been found on Mars .
But findings published today inNature Geosciencesuggest that these features , appearing as dark streaks on Martian slopes , are actually because of grains of sand and dust slipping down . That ’s bad news for people hoping to find conditions suitable for microbic biography .
" We ’ve consider of RSL as potential liquid water supply flows , but the slopes are more like what we bear for teetotal Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , " enjoin Colin Dundas of the US Geological Survey ’s Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff , Arizona , lead author of the discipline , in astatement .
" This unexampled agreement of RSL sustain other grounds that shows that Mars today is very dry . "
The scientists come to their conclusion by studying effigy from NASA ’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter ( MRO ) . They found that the run only exist on extremely steep slopes , where the grain can go down .
Thousands of RSL have been found on Mars , previously thought to be evidence of unexpected liquified body of water or saltwater flow . While the surface of Mars immediately boils water due to its modest pressure , we thought pee stored underground might be ooze to the surface .
All promise is not lost yet , though . The research worker take note that lowly total of piddle could be involved in the constitution of RSL . But the exact process at play remain a bit of a mystery , and it ’s likely something quite unequaled to Mars .
" RSL probably mould by some chemical mechanism that is unique to the environment of Mars , so they represent an opportunity to learn about how Mars behaves , which is important for future airfoil geographic expedition , " said Alfred McEwen from the University of Arizona , Tucson , a co - generator on the study .
It paints a rather more mundane photograph of Mars though , with RSL once suppose to be collateral grounds for biologically significant liquid water on Mars . RSL do still have some unusual features though , like their seasonal visual aspect and gradual growth , which we ca n’t yet excuse .
We ’ll probably only find out for sure when we in reality go to one of these regions and investigate them up tight . Until then , chalk one mark down for the chance of microbic life-time being on Mars .
