Mars Gullies Show No Sign of Water, NASA Says

As NASA undergoes deeper research to find traces of life in planet Mars, the group was able to gather an important data about the planet that could clear out speculations of how Martian gullies were formed. According to the recent research, gullies found on Martian grounds do not have any traces of water in it.

A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland observed more than 100 gully sites to finalize their study. According to the team, "The findings showed no mineralogical evidence for abundant liquid water or its by-products."

After gathering information from the MRO, researchers from Maryland conducted some chemical analysis using MRO's on-board spectrometer CRISM. These tests proved that the MRO was unable to find the "presence of hydrated salts that are the signature of liquid salty water," as posted by ABC. Far different from that of the other prominent Marsian feature, which is the Recurring Slope Lineage (RSL), where the spacecraft has been successful as it searches for signs of life.

Because of the study's results, the experts are now considering that these gullies are actually not made and carved out of water. They are looking at the possibility that these formations are created by other causes "such as the freeze and thaw of carbon dioxide frost," and not because of soil erosion caused by flowing water, as stated by the NASA.

The experts are certain that despite Marsian gullies' test results, the group are still not losing hope in searching for more signs of life in Mars. They believe that if not with the gullies, there would be something from that red planet that could strengthen their research about how habitable the red planet is. They are also looking forward for more studies to be conducted to have a better understanding of what really lies on its surface, according to Science Alert.