On Monday, September 28, NASA confirmed that it has found water on the surface of Mars. The details of the announcement were surprising. Scientists knew that water exists on the Red Planet in ice form, but recent information from the Mars Rover proves the presence of liquid water as well.
Mountains, craters and canyons on Mars have streaks of water running along them during the planet's summer months, NASA observed. The high concentration of salts in the streams is one plausible explanation for the flow. Implications of running water on Mars are enormous, as this means the planet could possibly support life.
The finding is celebrated in Tuesday's Google Doodle, in which internauts meet an endearing image of the Red Planet. A purple-colored night sky provides a backdrop for the doodle. White stars stars shine upon it — white as the text letters that make up the name of the tech giant.
The second O in the corporation's logo is personified by Mars, who rotates showing a happy face. The planet drinks down a glass of water — a nod to the discovery of running water on the surface of Mars. The rotation cycle continues, with the planet turning away from the viewer once the glass is empty.
Clicking on the doodle takes the user to a search page, where a sum of articles about the astronomical discovery can be read. Important information about the Red Planet, alongside the prospects it offers to future colonists, can be found there.
The enthusiasm Google shows for the finding is noticeable on its Twitter page as well.
"Water on Mars?! Water on Mars!!" #GoogleDoodle https://t.co/MXsENWwEmN pic.twitter.com/ZRfAODOBsO
- Google (@google) September 29, 2015
The flowing water NASA discovered could explain the seasonal dark stripes that appear on the planet's surface periodically. The reason water is flowing on Mars is still under debate in the scientific community, but the fact that it is bolsters the argument for sending a manned mission to the planet.
The official statement can be found on NASA's website.
