Signs of flowing water found on Mars

More signs of past water on Mars have been uncovered by the American space agency Nasa’s Curiosity rover.

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

Now instruments on the rover have found more water-bearing minerals in the area around the rock. Curiosity is exploring a region within Gale Crater, near the Martian equator.

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

The discoveries were made using infrared imaging and an instrument that shoots neutron particles into the ground to probe for hydrogen.