Life on Mars? Escaping water vapour offers new clues

Researchers detected water emanating high up in thin atmosphere of red planet while Tianwen-1 probe entered orbit on Wednesday

Researchers have observed water vapour escaping high up in the thin atmosphere of Mars, offering tantalising new clues as to whether the red planet could have once hosted life.

The traces of ancient valleys and river channels suggest liquid water once flowed across the surface of Mars. Today, the water is mostly locked up in the planet's ice caps or buried underground.