The agency posted a series of photographs obtained from the Valles Marineris region near Mars' equator which depict numerous dark lines found around the planet’s canyons.

According to the scientists, the mysterious streaks might be indications of the presence of either frozen or liquid water, or vapor.

“There are so many of them, it's hard to keep track," said Matthew Chojnacki of the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Tucson, and lead author of the new report in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

The study looked at thousands of lines known as recurring slope lineae, or RSL – a special term adopted by NASA scientists given that the do not yet know how the lines form.

"Collectively, results provide additional support for the notion that significant amounts of near-surface water can be found on Mars today and suggest that a widespread mechanism, possibly related to the atmosphere, is recharging RSL sources," the scientists wrote in the press release.

According to NASA, the streaks are much more “widespread than previously recognized”.

“…if they are indeed associated with contemporary aqueous activity, that makes this canyon system an even more interesting area than it is just from the spectacular geology alone," the scientists pointed out.

Although the scientists did write in the press-release that the “dark streaks” “might be signs of liquid water”, they are not sure how they appeared. One of the theories is that the streaks formed due to an underground layer of water. At the same time the scientists say it is unlikely the water from an underground layer reached the surface of canyon ridges and isolated peaks where most of the streaks appear, RT reported.

212