NASA's InSight Reveals Liquid Water Deep Beneath Mars, Potential for Life

A study using data from NASA's Mars InSight lander shows evidence of liquid water far below Mars' surface. This discovery supports the possibility of past or current life on Mars. Researchers found that the water is located between 11.5 and 20 kilometers deep, potentially influencing future missions.

A recent study utilizing data from NASA's Mars InSight lander has uncovered compelling evidence of liquid water located far beneath the surface of Mars, potentially advancing the search for life on the Red Planet and shedding light on the fate of its ancient oceans.

The InSight lander, which has been operational on Mars since 2018, recorded seismic data over a span of four years. This data was analyzed to understand the planetary quakes and to infer the materials present beneath the surface. Researchers found that liquid water most likely exists deep beneath the planet's surface, between 11.5 and 20 kilometers underground.

The study's authors, including Vashan Wright from the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, suggest that the conditions for microbial life exist in Mars' subsurface if their interpretations hold true. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings could significantly impact our understanding of Mars' water cycle and guide future exploratory missions.

(With inputs from agencies.)