Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of
our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief
explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2006 December
31 Explanation: The past year was extraordinary for the
discovery of extraterrestrial fountains and flows -- some
offering new potential in the search for liquid water and the
origin of life beyond planet Earth.. Increased evidence was
uncovered that fountains spurt not only from Saturn's moon
Enceladus, but from the dunes of Mars as well. Lakes were found
on Saturn's moon Titan, and the residual of a flowing liquid was
discovered on the walls of Martian craters. The diverse Solar
System fluidity may involve forms of slushy water-ice, methane,
or sublimating carbon dioxide. Pictured above, the light-colored
path below the image center is hypothesized to have been created
sometime in just the past few years by liquid water flowing
across the surface of Mars. Authors & editors: Jerry Bonnell
(USRA) NASA Official: Phillip Newman