Marvin the Martian could be real…

Well, no.  He’s a Looney Tune cartoon, but scientists think they may have discovered water on Mars.  Water equals the prospect of life on the red planet.  For decades humans have been dreaming of aliens and now there may be proof that they could exist.

“Our quest on Mars has been to ‘follow the water,’ in our search for life in the universe, and now we have convincing science that validates what we’ve long suspected,” said John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “This is a significant development, as it appears to confirm that water -- albeit briny -- is flowing today on the surface of Mars.” [1]

It is unclear if the salt content of the water on Mars is low enough to support Earth life, but the possible existence of water on the planet could mean that life once thrived there or/and microscopic life still strives there.  Area 51 doesn’t sound crazy now huh?   Maybe we’ll meet ET and Marvin the Martian sooner than we think.

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[1] https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-confirms-evidence-that-liquid-water-flows-on-today-s-mars

The Skinny on Water

Did you know that water has skin? Well kinda!  Water has skin in a sense that a molecular layer is formed at the top of it.  “It is not really true that a "skin" forms on the water surface; the stronger cohesion between the water molecules as opposed to the attraction of the water molecules to the air makes it more difficult to move an object through the surface than to move it when it is completely submerged.” (http://water.usgs.gov/edu/surface-tension.html)  

This is called surface tension.  Surface tension is the force that causes the molecules on the surface of a liquid to be pushed together and form a layer.  This layer or skin is what allows water to bead up and turn into drops. It also allows water to be filled up above the rim. Water is only second to mercury in having the greatest amount of service tension.  Small objects will float as long as the object doesn’t separate the top layer of water molecules. Surface tension allows light weight insects like water striders to literally walk on water.  Jesus must have been pretty light on his feet! 

The next time you drink a glass water, pause to think about how very cool it is!  Happy hydrating!  

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