A Giant Underground Lake on Mars! | Breaking News

Scientists have discovered a giant underground lake on Mars, marking the first time a permanent body of liquid water has been found on the planet. Using data from the MARSIS instrument on the Mars Express orbiter, researchers identified a 20-kilometer-wide lake beneath Mars's South Pole. The lake's existence raises questions about the potential for life on Mars, although the harsh, salty conditions make it unlikely for life as we know it to survive. However, the discovery opens new possibilities for finding ancient microbial life preserved in the lake.

What makes the discovery of the underground lake on Mars particularly exciting for scientists?

• It is the first evidence of any water on Mars.

• It is a permanent body of water, unlike previous findings.

• It is located at Mars's equator.

• It contains drinkable water.

What instrument was used to detect the underground lake on Mars?

• Hubble Space Telescope

• MARSIS on Mars Express orbiter

• Voyager 1

• Mars Rover

What did the radar data from MARSIS reveal about the underground lake?

• It is a volcanic crater.

• It is made entirely of ice.

• It reflects radio waves like a boundary between ice and liquid water.

• It is a dry lake bed.

Why is the underground lake on Mars considered a harsh environment for life?

• It lacks any form of nutrients.

• It is exposed to high radiation levels.

• It is extremely cold and salty.

• It is too hot and acidic.

What type of Earth organisms suggest that life might still be possible in Mars's underground lake?

• Photosynthetic plants

• Extremophiles

• Aquatic mammals

• Insects