The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft captured compelling images indicating the possible existence of liquid water on Mars, a discovery that excites scientists curious about the potential for life on the planet. By observing changes in crater walls in Mars' southern hemisphere, scientists have inferred that water may have flowed downhill in recent years. The presence of liquid water is crucial in the search for signs of life on Mars, as all known forms of life on Earth depend on water for survival. Scientists have previously confirmed the presence of water on Mars in the form of ice at the poles and water vapor, as well as geological features that suggest water may have carved the landscape in the past. Kenneth Edgett, a scientist involved in the research, described the search for proof of liquid water currently on Mars as a "squirting gun" for water. The researchers, whose findings are published in the journal Science, compared images of the Martian surface taken seven years apart and discovered 20 new craters caused by space debris. They observed evidence of water flowing down two gullies in recent years, despite the challenges of liquid water existing on Mars' cold, thin atmosphere. The evidence suggested that there may be underground liquid water close to the surface in certain areas, allowing it to seep out periodically. Although the images did not directly show water, they displayed bright deposits left by material carried downhill inside the crater by running water, occasionally diverting around obstacles and leaving finger-shaped marks. Edgett mentioned that the water could be acidic, briny, or carrying sediment, but it definitely contains H2O. Each flow appeared to be caused by an amount 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 indicate that water still occasionally flows on the surface of Mars, providing the most compelling evidence to date. He emphasized the importance of understanding how this process occurs and whether it could potentially support life. Mars is one of the few planets in our solar system with a climate comparable to Earth, leading some scientists to believe that it may have once been home to primitive life forms. Past missions have also discovered evidence of abundant water on Mars in the past. The scientists acknowledged that the images provided were not definitive proof, but rather indirect evidence. They suggested that the features could potentially be explained by the movement of dry dust down a slope. The researchers noted that their discoveries raised numerous questions, such as the origin and quantity of the water, and its potential use in future Mars exploration missions. While the researchers had identified these gullies in 2000, this was the first time they had observed recently deposited material that appeared to have been carried by liquid water. Last month, NASA announced that communication had been lost with the Mars Global Surveyor after a successful mission that lasted a decade, during which it mapped the Martian surface, monitored its climate, and searched for signs of water.