NASA IN a recent report claimed that it has discovered traces of water on planet Mars. The report is a major breakthrough for the NASA scientists, who have been working hard to find signs of water on the planet since the last 15 years. The report is based on observations made by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched in 2005, it started orbiting Mars a year later. The orbiter observed dark finger like structures on the planet. These structures seemed to extend down the slope; they were visible during the spring and summer months, disappeared in winters and then reappeared in spring. Scientists believe that these dark figures are signs of flowing water.

Commenting on the report, Alfred McEwen of University of Arizona and head author of the report on Mars findings said that the dark figures could be best explained as briny water. The expert, however, added that the report does not confirm presence of water on the planet. He further noted that the high-tech instruments on the spacecraft for detecting water had not registered any such finding. One of the reasons for this could be the small size of the water streaks making it hard for the instruments to detect them.

According to the expert there were more negative aspects to this theory, like how can soil turn dark because of the water. Presence of water on Mars would mean a new humans exploration destination.

Earlier in 2004, Mars rover Opportunity detected chemical compounds on the planet that could have only be formed if water was present on its surface. The theory is yet to be proved by scientists.

Meanwhile, NASA plans to launch another spacecraft, called Mars Science Laboratory, in November this year.