For the first time, the European Mars probe "Mars Express" discovered large amounts of liquid water on Mars. This discovery was made by the Italian researcher Roberto Orosei from the National Institute of Astrophysics in Bologna. This discovery is a small sensation because such a large amount of liquid water has ever been discovered on Mars before.
Copyright: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems; public domain
Underground lake discovered
Radar measurements out of the red planet's orbit have revealed radar signatures pointing to an underground glacial lake, such as Lake Vostok in the Antarctic. It is known that there is water on Mars. However, this is present as ice in the large polar ice caps or as water vapor in the thin atmosphere. Small amounts of liquid water could be found on the surface of the Mars lander "Phoenix". It was the water vapor condensed during the night of Mars, from the atmosphere that formed tiny droplets.
The subterranean lake stretches over nearly 20 km and is located at a depth of about 1.5 km under the ice of the Martian South Pole. Its thickness could not be specified but must be at least 10cm so that the reflected radar waves give this signature.
The water temperature is estimated to be at -68 degrees Celsius. Since this temperature is far too low to allow liquid water, it is believed that it is extremely salty, which puts the freezing point down. The high pressure under the 1.5 km thick layer of ice also affects to the freezing point and sets it down.
Copyright: NASA/JPL/MSSS; public domain
Is there life on Mars?
Until now, Life has not yet been found on Mars. Basically, there are life forms that can exist under such conditions. But in order to answer the question, the water from the lake would have to be analyzed. But it is considered unlikely to find life there.
It remains very exciting which further insights we can gain over our red neighbors in the next few years. It also remains exciting how the plans of a manned journey to Mars or the colonization of Mars develop.
References:
https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/article179961990/Mars-Forscher-entdecken-einen-See-mit-fluessigem-Wasser.html
https://www.mdr.de/wissen/faszination-technik/mars-unterirdischer-see-fluessiges-wasser-100.html
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