Morning:
3°c
This is the picture scientists say shows Mars once had an ocean covering a third of its surface.
Scientists from Northern Illinois University and Nasa's Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston found dozens of valleys, shown in red, after using new software to analyse images of the surface and create the most accurate map to date. The valleys, first spotted in 1971, were caused by a network of rivers more than twice as extensive as previously mapped, pictured right. The new map shows water channels in a belt between the equator and mid-southern latitudes. Experts say this is consistent with heavy rain, and the presence of an ocean covering most of Mars's northern half.
"It would also explain why the valleys become shallower from north to south," said professor Wei Luo. The valley networks show some similarities to river systems on earth, the experts believe.
Reader views (5)
So where has all the water gone?
- David Uri, FLORIDA USA
Straight out of Dr Who, The Waters of Mars. But I think the Ancient Egyptians abandoned the Mars when the water ran out and settled on Earth by the Nile.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
I suppose the scientists will bomb it now to see what it throws up!
- Bres, folkestone
Well Now we can get some idea about what the earth will look like in a few thousand years. We are well on the way to producing this effect. Good bye everybody!
- Jonvic, SC USA
Schiaparelli was right!
- Bloke, Lambeth
