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進入《中英對照讀新聞》Strong evidence Mars has streams of salt water in summertime 強力證據顯示火星在夏季時有鹽水流動
最近從美國航太總署的火星偵察軌道器上的一項儀器觀測到的資料顯示，液態鹽水每年夏季從某些火星上的斜坡上流下出。（歐新社）
◎李信漢
Mars appears to have flowing streams of salty water, at least in the summer, scientists reported Monday in a finding that could have major implications for the possibility of life on the planet.
火星上似乎有流動的鹽水，至少在夏季，科學家週一時公布這項發現，這項發現很有可能暗示火星上有生命體存在。
Scientists in 2008 confirmed the existence of frozen water on Mars. But the latest observations from an instrument aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter strongly support the longtime theory that salt water in liquid form flows down certain Martian slopes each summer, according to the researchers.
科學家於2008年確認火星上有冰凍的水存在。但最近從美國航太總署的火星偵察軌道器上的一項儀器觀測到的資料顯示，證據強力支持長久以來的理論，液態鹽水每年夏季從某些火星上的斜坡上流下，據研究者指出。
"Mars just got more interesting," NASA said via Twitter before holding a news conference at its Washington headquarters. The space agency called the results "a major science finding." Because water is essential to life, the findings could boost the notion of life on Mars. The researchers said in the journal Nature Geoscience that further exploration is warranted to determine whether any microscopic life exists on the planet.
「火星變得越來越有趣」，美國航太總署在華盛頓總部舉行記者會前，透過「推特」發表這則訊息，航太總署稱這項發現為「重大的科學發現」。因為水是生命的基本元素，這項發現有助於強化火星上有生命體的想法。研究者們在《自然－地質科學》期刊中說，已批准進一步的探索任務，以判別是否有任何的微生命體存在於這顆行星上。
The source of the water is still a mystery. Scientists noted it could be melting ice, an underground aquifer, water vapor from the thin Martian atmosphere, or some combination.
這些液態水的來源仍是個謎，科學家們指出，這可能是來自於融化的冰、地表下的蓄水層、來自火星稀薄大氣層裡的水蒸氣，或是其他混合物。
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter which has been circling the red planet since 2006. （AP）
火星偵察軌道器自2006年起，就繞行著這顆紅色行星。（美聯社）
新聞辭典
implication：名詞，暗示。例句：I resent your implication!（我痛恨你的暗示！）
boost：動詞，促進，增加。例句：The company needs to find ways to boost morale.（這家公司得找出方法提升士氣。）
circle：動詞，盤旋，繞行。例句：Birds were circling overhead.（鳥兒在頭頂上盤旋飛翔。）
