The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft captured compelling images that indicate the possible existence of liquid water on Mars, sparking excitement among scientists who are curious about the planet's potential to support life. Researchers recently observed changes in the walls of two craters in Mars' southern hemisphere, which they believe were caused by water flowing downhill in the recent past. This discovery has reignited speculation about the possibility of past life on Mars, as water is essential for supporting life on Earth. Scientists have confirmed the presence of water on Mars in the form of ice and water vapor, as well as geological features that suggest water may have carved them in the past. Kenneth Edgett, a scientist involved in the research, described their findings as a "squirting gun" for evidence of liquid water currently on Mars. By comparing images taken seven years apart, the scientists also discovered 20 new craters caused by space debris. Despite the planet's frigid and nearly airless surface, water appeared to have flowed down two gullies in recent years, although it would quickly freeze or evaporate. The images suggested that there may be liquid water underground in some areas close enough to the surface to occasionally seep out. The bright deposits seen in the images, although not directly showing water, appeared to be left by material carried downhill inside the crater by running water, sometimes maneuvering around obstacles and leaving finger-shaped marks diverting from the main flow. While the water could be acidic, briny, carrying sediment, or slushy, it definitely contained H2O, according to Edgett. He also mentioned that each flow was equivalent to "five to 10 swimming pools of water." Michael Meyer, the head scientist of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, stated that the recent observations suggest that water still flows sporadically on the surface of Mars, providing the most compelling evidence so far. Meyer raised important questions about how this occurs and whether it could indicate a potential habitat for life. Some scientists believe that Mars may have supported primitive life forms in the past, as it is the only planet in our solar system besides Earth with a relatively hospitable climate. Previous missions have also discovered evidence of abundant water on Mars at some point in its history. The scientists admitted that the images provided only circumstantial evidence, not proof, and suggested that the features could have been caused by dry dust moving down a slope. They raised questions about the source and abundance of the water and its potential use in future missions to Mars. The researchers first discovered the gullies in 2000, but this was the first time they had found newly deposited material apparently carried by liquid water. NASA recently announced that it had lost contact with the Mars Global Surveyor after a ten-year mission mapping the planet's surface, monitoring its climate, and searching for signs of water.