More signs of water found on Red Planet

Published on 19/03/2013 22:14

WATER-BEARING minerals have been found on Mars by the American space agency Nasa’s Curiosity rover.

Powder drilled from Martian rock last week revealed evidence of water and conditions favourable to life.

The water-bearing minerals were found in the area around the rock.

Curiosity is exploring a region within Gale Crater, near the Martian equator, called Yellowknife Bay.

Scientists believe that billions of years ago water poured down the rim of the crater and formed streams that might have been up to 3ft deep.

The new discoveries were made using the rover’s infrared mast camera. It shoots neutron particles into the ground to detect hydrogen and compounds which contain it.