Mars exploration: NASA’s Curiosity searches for new clues about ancient water

The presence of water on Mars—Earth’s neighbour —is not an alien concept. However, a recent study by an international team has suggested that the fourth planet of the solar system from the Sun might have retained more water for a longer period than previously thought. As the Curiosity rover of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has begun exploring a new region of Mars i.e Gediz Vallis channel—appears to have been carved by an ancient river—it could reveal more about when liquid water disappeared once and for all from the Red Planet’s surface. The rover’s journey through this region aims to find out the process of the Gediz Vallis channel formation—whether the debris flows or a river carrying rocks and sediment could have formed the bedrock. The study of layers in the lower part of Mount Sharp formed over millions of years may provide scientists a clue as to how the presence of both water and the chemical ingredients required for life changed over time.