There was drinking water on Mars

The analysis of the stone fragment detected by Opportunity shows the possibility of ever having water with a neutral pH on the red planet.

>>>Discover evidence of water ever flowing on Mars

Photographs by Robot Opportunity on the surface of Mars

The former Mars and US Space Opportunity Opportunity Robot identified the stone slab containing clay minerals called Esperance (Hope), leading to the conclusion that it was exposed to medium pH water. long-term past.

Professor Steve Squyres of Cornell University explained that the evidence shows that there was water on Mars at a very low, acidic pH but this time it was different. Professor Squyres explains: ' Clay minerals are only formed in neutral pH water - the water we can drink. This form of water is more suitable for prebiotic chemicals - chemicals that can lead to the origin of life '.

Esperance stones have been exposed to long-term neutral pH in the past

This is seen as Opportunity's most significant finding in 9 years of operation. Opportunity with the twin probe robot Spirit returns to Mars in January 2004 and has detected traces of water on Mars. Spirit stopped working in 2010.

Opportunity still operates normally and co-ordinates with Curiosity in August 2012 in a two-year exploration mission.