Via: The Verge

They alluded to the fact that they had some big news over the weekend, and now NASA has formally announced the results of a massive, on-going study that had been operating outside of the public eye on Mars for a number of years now. There is indeed flowing water on Mars, a fact that goes against virtually everything we thought we knew about the Red Planet. But what exactly does this mean for us, and for the search for intelligent life?

Liquid water on the surface of Mars. (via NASA)

This new information comes courtesy of of NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which studies the planet while orbiting it within its gravitational pull. NASA had been attempting to analyze strange, dark streaks which appears on the planet during its warmer months. After years of study, it has been confirmed that those dark streaks are indeed flowing water. Briny, or salty water, at that, but flowing water nonetheless. As for the source of the water? NASA is not entirely sure yet, but scientists at the organization have called this finding unambiguous proof of water.

Does this mean that Mars could have, at one time, supported large life forms? NASA is of course mum on any speculation on that subject, and realistically, these findings create more questions than answers at the moment when pondering the larger ramifications, if any.