NASA Water discovery on Mars gives hope of possible life

Jun 22 2008

WATER has been found on Mars in a major breakthrough in the search for life in space.

NASA's Phoenix probe has discovered ice on the red planet.

Now scientists say they are examining whether it could ever have been liquid - as liquid water on Earth always contains living molecules.

Dr David Catling, of the University of Bristol, is among a team of researchers assessing the probe's results.

He said: "It's really exciting. Wherever you find liquid water on earth, you find life in some form.

"It doesn't matter if it's tiny pockets of sea water in ice or if it's close to boiling point in some volcanic vent, there will be molecules living."

Phoenix touched down on May 26 and has since used its 8ft robot arm to dig trenches in the Martian soil.

Mission controllers became excited when the excavation exposed chunks of white material on Sunday. It was still there the following day and was confirmed as ice four days later.

Phoenix principal investigator Dr Peter Smith said: "It is with great pride and a lot of joy that I announce we have found proof that this material is really water ice and not some other substance."

Scientists will now work to determine whether organic compounds are present that could provide the building blocks of life.

The Phoenix probe is designed to look for conditions which might be suitable for life but is not equipped to find evidence of life itself.