Water on Mars: Flowing, Salty H2O Appears to Exist on Planet's Surface

Flowing streams of salty water, at least in the summertime, appear to be part of Mars landscape, scientists reported on Monday.

Researchers said their latest observations "strongly support" the longtime theory that Mars appears to have not only frozen water but salt water flowing down certain Martian slopes each summer, reported The Associated Press.

These dark, narrow streaks tend to appear and grow during the warmest Martian months, and fade the rest of the year. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, and scientists say that would explain these seasonal briny flows.

Because water is essential to life, Monday's findings could have major implications.

The researchers said further exploration is warranted to determine whether any microscopic life might exist at modern-day Mars. They based their findings on data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been circling Mars since 2006.

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