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WATER FOUND BURIED UNDER MARTIAN EQUATOR

BBC Science Focus

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February 2024

New observations reveal what's inside the mysterious deposits hidden beneath giant formations on the Red Planet

WATER FOUND BURIED UNDER MARTIAN EQUATOR

Scientists have finally figured out what's hidden inside mysterious deposits buried beneath Mars's equator. Using new data gathered by the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter, scientists have discovered pockets of water ice that stretch for several kilometres underneath the Red Planet's surface.

The water ice was found beneath the Medusae Fossae formation. Mars Express has examined this part of the planet before, but when the orbiter last carried out observations of this area, 15 years ago, the results raised more questions than they answered.

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