'Bulletproof' evidence of water on Mars

Nasa has revealed "bulletproof" evidence of water on Mars during its exploration mission.

Using science software and the Nasa rover, researchers have found the strongest evidence yet that there used to be water on Mars.

The team have discovered a vein of gypsum, a mineral deposited by water, and more commonly known as plaster of Paris, inside and jutting out from an ancient rock along the rim of a huge crater called Endeavour.

"This is the single most bullet-proof observation that I can think of that we've made this entire mission," Cornell University planetary scientist Steve Squyres, lead researcher for Nasa's Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers, told Reuters.

Whereas other minerals have provided more questions than answers, this discovery is different, he explained.

"This stuff formed right here. There was a fracture in the rock. Water flowed through it. Gypsum was precipitated from the water. End of story."

Another rover, called Curiosity, is currently on its way to Mars to build on existing knowledge.

Posted by Neil Clark