First lake of liquid water found on Mars

Tampa, July 25: A massive underground lake has been detected for the first time on Mars, raising the possibility that more water — and maybe even life — exists there, international astronomers said Wednesday.

Located under a layer of Martian ice, the lake is about 20 kms wide, said the report led by Italian researchers in the US journal Science.

It is the largest body of liquid water ever found on the Red Planet.

“This is a stunning result that suggests water on Mars is not a temporary trickle like previous discoveries but a persistent body of water that provides the conditions for life for extended periods of time,” said Alan Duffy, an associate professor at Swinburne University in Australia, who was not involved in the study. Mars is now cold, barren and dry but used to be warm and wet. It was home to plenty of liquid water and lakes at least 3.6 billion years ago.

Located under a layer of Martian ice, the lake is about 20 kms wide Mars is now cold, barren and dry but used to be warm and wet

Paris, July 25: The longest “blood moon” eclipse this century will coincide with Mars' closest approach in 15 years to offer skygazers a thrilling astronomical double bill on Friday, astronomers say.

At the same time, Mars will hover near the moon in the night sky, easily visible with the naked eye.

Our neighbouring planet will appear unusually large and bright, a mere 57.7 million kilometres ( 35.9 million miles) from Earth on its elliptical orbit around the sun.

“We have a rare conjunction of phenomena,” said Pascal Descamps, an astronomer with the Paris Observatory. “We should have a coppery red tint on the moon with Mars the Red Planet just next to it, very bright and with a slight orange hue itself.”

Amateur astronomers in the southern hemisphere will be best- placed to enjoy the spectacle, especially those in southern Africa, Australia, India and Madagascar. A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth takes position in a straight line between the moon and sun, blotting out the direct sunlight