Local Research Suggests Evidence of Water on Mars

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published July 30, 2007 at 9:31 AM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Is there water on Mars? A group of local scientists have found compelling evidence that liquid water exists on the planet. If water does exist on Mars, does it mean that life exists on the red planet?

Tom Fudge: Of all the planets that we know of, aside from Earth, Mars is the one we've considered most likely to support life. This has been true ever since people looked at it through telescopes and thought they saw canals and other evidence of civilization. Since then, we've sent unmanned spacecraft to the planet, and we know that there is no civilization on Mars. There are no dinosaurs. There are no polar bears. But some research by a San Diego company has produced strong evidence of water on the planet. And where there is water, there may be life, even if it's only micro organisms. The research, based on a series of photographs, has been done by Malin Space Science Systems.

Guest

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Dr. Kenneth Edgett, senior scientist with Malin Space Science Systems.