Some Martian soils contain water: Photo courtesy NASA

Canadian scientists have analyzed a salty, white substance kicked up by the Mars rover Spirit, and have determined that it contains 16% water. Previously satellite images showed Martian features that appear to be dry river beds. But this is the first time a soil sample from Mars has reveled the presence of water.

Water, of course, is essential for life on Earth, so its presence on Mars raises the possibility that life may have flourished there in the past…or may still exist beneath the surface. Water is also essential for human life – if astronauts are ever to visit Mars, they will need to be able to extract water to drink.

The researchers say it is too early to tell how common water is on Mars. But the fact that they found it in four different places gives them hope that it is widespread.

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