NASA Teases Major 'Mars Mystery Solved' To Be Revealed At Press Conference Set For Monday
WASHINGTON (CBS SF) -- In a dramatic posting on its website, NASA officials have announced they will detail "a major science finding from the agency's ongoing exploration of Mars" at a Monday-morning press conference at NASA's Washington D.C. headquarters.
As for what that mystery might be, the science world is ablaze with speculation.
The biggest mystery of all is whether there is now or ever was life on the Red Planet. The current consensus seems to be that such a momentous finding is likely not the subject of Monday's event.
But a related question is this: can water, in its liquid form, be found anywhere on Mars' surface?
In its multi-year trek across Gale Crater, the Curiosity rover has found rocks that contained a surprising amount of moisture directly under the surface along with sedimentary evidence the crater was filled with water eons ago.
Earlier this month, researchers said they have discovered a giant slab of ice buried below the surface of a region called the Arcadia Planitia in Mars' middle latitudes.
With this in mind, consider that one of the scientists slated to speak at Monday's press event is Lujendra Ojha, from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Ojha first put forth the possibility that very salty water (which freezes at a lower temperature) could flow on the planet's frigid surface during warmer months.
Monday's event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. local time (8:30 a.m. Pacific) and will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's website. The event will also be carried live on: http://www.ustream.tv/NASAJPL.
Members of the public will be able to post questions during via Twitter using the hashtag #AskNASA.
RELATED LINKS:
NASA's Mission to Mars (website)
NASA to Announce Mars Mystery Solved
Curiosity Rover Weather Data Makes the Case for Brine on Mars
