Mars: Liquid water reservoir found, hinting at potential for life

A research team has shed new light on the mystery of Mars' missing water, suggesting it may be hidden in a vast reservoir beneath the planet's surface. Data from NASA's InSight lander indicates a layer of liquid water exists 5.4 to 8 kilometers below the surface. This discovery raises the possibility of finding traces of life, as liquid water is essential for life as we know it. The potential reservoir could contain enough water to cover Mars with an ocean 520 to 780 meters deep. Scientists suggest future Mars rovers should explore these water reservoirs for signs of life, while also protecting them from contamination by Earth microbes. The research team's findings were published in the journal NSR.