Mars bombshell: WATER is disappearing from the Red Planet, ExoMars scientists announce

In a similar way, NASA is targeting the Moon’s south pole for a manned landing in 2024 because it is known to store large amounts of frozen water.

But when sunlight hits the surface waters on Mars, without having to punch through a thick atmosphere, it helps release water vapour into the air.

Strong winds then carry the individual molecules and atoms of hydrogen and oxygen to the upper reaches of the planet’s atmosphere.

Dr Montmessin said: “Mars once harboured an active hydrological cycle, as demonstrated by geological features on its surface, but it no longer holds the quantity of water required to produce such geological imprints.

source: express.co.uk