Science Alert: A 12-mile-wide body of water lies beneath a Mars ice cap

Using a satellite to peer beneath layers of dust and ice at Mars's south pole, scientists have detected a 12-mile-wide span of briny water, a large, stable reservoir akin to lakes buried beneath the Antarctic ice sheet on Earth. The long-sought discovery, the largest detection of liquid water on the Red Planet yet, raises the tantalizing possibility of a very cold, very salty niche where life might have once existed — or even persisted.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Science Alert Jul 25, 10:00 AM     A 12-mile-wide body of water lies beneath a Mars ice cap Using a satellite to peer beneath layers of dust and ice at Mars's south pole, scientists have detected a 12-mile-wide span of briny water, a large, stable reservoir akin to lakes buried beneath the Antarctic ice sheet on Earth. The long-sought discovery, the largest detection of liquid water on the Red Planet yet, raises the tantalizing possibility of a very cold, very salty niche where life might have once existed — or even persisted. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071