Mars water fades away

THERE was great excitement when NASA announced it had found flowing water on Mars – as it meant a sign of possible life.

But, two years later, hopes of spotting little green Martians have rather dried up. Scientists have now said that streaks on the planet’s surface are more likely to have been caused by sand, not water.

Research published in the journal Nature Geoscience suggest these lines appear more like dry, steep flows of sand, rather than water trickling downhill. If water is present, they said, it’s likely a small amount – and probably not capable of hosting life. NASA, though, said the jury is still out.