NASA flags major Mars discovery

NASA, which recently revealed it had found evidence of flowing water on Mars, says it will reveal “key” new findings.

01/10/2004 WIRE: FILE - This is a Jan. 10, 2004 file image mosaic taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's panoramic camera made available by NASA showing a view of Mars southwest of the rover's landing site in the Gusev Crater. Two scientists are proposing we send volunteers to Mars and leave them there. They say the mission would mark the beginning of long-term human colonization of Mars, with numerous follow-up trips. The colleagues contend one-way missions could happen a lot quicker and cheaper, and it is essential to begin colonizing another planet as a hedge against a catastrophe that makes Earth uninhabitable. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL, File)

NASA, which recently revealed it had found evidence of flowing water on Mars, says it will reveal “key” new findings about the Red Planet tomorrow.

The internet is abuzz with speculation about what the announcement could be, remembering that the last time NASA promised a big announcement it was to reveal that water flows intermittently on Mars.

Water ... NASA scientists find evidence of flowing water on Mars. Picture: NASA

News of flowing water increases the likelihood of alien life being a possibility.

Michael Meyer, the lead scientist for the Mars Exploration Program at NASA headquarters will be leading the news conference, set for 2pm EST on 5 November (6am Friday AEDT).

NASA astronauts have amped up the anticipation about the announcement taking to Twitter to flag that the news will be “exciting”.

The data comes from the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft, which is currently in orbit around Mars. The agency isn’t releasing any more information at the moment. It is thought that NASA will be able to better explain why NASA has seen 99 per cent of its atmosphere change over millions of years.

Stay tuned for an exciting NASA astronaut announcement tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/tXDxP30lwe

— NASA Astronauts (@NASA_Astronauts) November 3, 2015

It came as NASA celebrated the 15th anniversary of continuous residency at the International Space Station.

There are currently six astronauts living on the International Space Station hailing from the US, Russia and Japan.

So NASA are announcing something about Mars tomorrow. What do you think it'll be after their recent discovery of water? Life? I'm excited 🙈

— James Kingston (@JamesLKingston) November 4, 2015

They were said to have shared a special dinner together on Monday to celebrate the 15 year milestone.

Since the first permanent crew moved in to the space station on 2 November 2000, 220 people have come and gone.