(CNN)[Breaking news update at 11:40 a.m.]
NASA scientists said Monday they believe they have confirmed that water intermittently flows on the surface of Mars, a discovery that may have ramifications in the search for past or present life on the planet.
[Previous story, posted at 10:50 a.m.]
NASA seems poised to announce water flows on Mars
(CNN) -- NASA appears poised to announce that its researchers have found proof of liquid water flowing on the surface of Mars.
The agency called a news conference for Monday to discuss what it called a major science finding. While the agency hasn't elaborated, it appears the topic will be new findings from analysis of imagery from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, confirming that salty water flowing down Martian slopes is responsible for seasonal dark streaks seen in spots on the planet's surface.
Three of the paper's co-authors are scheduled to speak at NASA's news conference.
It's not the first discovery of water on Mars.
Researchers have known for many years that Mars has water frozen at its poles, in its thin atmosphere, and, most recently, in tiny puddles that appear to form at night on the surface.
Mars has liquid water just below surface
But the discovery of flowing water on cold, seemingly barren Mars could herald a breakthrough in the search for life there -- past or present.
Monday's announcement appears linked to the release of a new paper in which NASA researchers say analysis of imaging from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows that seasonal dark streaks on the Martian surface -- formally called recurring slope lineae -- are the result of briny water periodically flowing across the planet's surface.
The salt content of the water is important because without it, the water would freeze in Mars' often bone-chilling temperatures..............................
