Big news from space starts us off this week, as NASA has made a critical discovery about the planet Mars. And NASA says this may have ramifications in the search for life on the red planet.
Researchers have known for years that Mars has frozen water at its north and south poles, in the atmosphere and in tiny puddles on the surface. But images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show that salty water periodically flows across the planet's surface.
See those dark streaks on the images? That's what researchers are looking at. The salt prevents the water from freezing in Mars’ bone-chilling temperatures.
Of course, many mysteries about the planet still remain such as where the water is coming from.
Instructional Links
Website: NASA, Journey to Mars
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars/index.html
Interactive Map: Google Earth, Mars
http://www.google.com/earth/explore/showcase/mars.html
Encyclopedia Article: World Book Kids, Mars
http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home#article/ar831137
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