Mars theory gets dusted: Streaks may be sand, not water
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A new study suggests that dark streaks on Mars represent flowing sand — not water.
Monday’s news throws cold water on 2015 research that indicated that lines on some Martian slopes were signs of water currently on the planet. Instead, Arizona scientists report in Nature Geoscience that these lines appear more like dry, steep flows of sand, rather than water trickling downhill, at or near the surface.
If water is present, they said, it’s likely a small amount — and not conducive to life.
NASA, though, said the jury is still out.