Scientists find evidence of 'oceans' of underground water on Mars

Scientists believe the amount of water found could fill oceans on the planet

Enough water to make oceans is thought to be hidden underground on Mars according to new research from scientists.

Researchers made this discovery after studying data from Nasa's Insight lander - an outer space robotic explorer that was landed on Mars.

But the water is unlikely to be useful as a well any time soon, as it is found deep in tiny cracks and pores in Mars' rock.

The water is thought to be between 11.5 to 20 kilometres deep underground.

Drilling a hole a kilometre deep is a challenge even on Earth so it would be very difficult on Mars!

Nasa's Insight lander - an outer space robotic explorer on Mars

It's believed that Mars has been a desert planet for 3 billions years.

Scientists have sent a number of probes and landers to Mars to find out what happened to the water that was on the planet around three billion years ago.

It's been known for some time that Mars has frozen water on its surface and there is evidence of water vapour in its atmosphere.

But this is the first time liquid water has been found on the planet.

Vashan Wright, an assistant professor at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said: "Understanding the Martian water cycle is critical for understanding the evolution of the climate, surface and interior."

"A useful starting point is to identify where water is and how much is there."

Water is essential to all life on Earth, and some scientists hope the existence of water on Mars might lead to the discovery of life on the red planet.