NASA names evidence of stream on Mars after N.W.T. lake

NASA has named a Martian rock outcrop bearing evidence of an ancient stream Hottah, after a lake in the Northwest Territories.

The outcrop is composed of a type of rock called sedimentary conglomerate. NASA has previously found evidence of water on Mars, but this is the first evidence found of an ancient streambed.

Scientists can use the size and shape of pieces of gravel embedded in the rock to estimate the distance and speed of the stream.

Hottah Lake is south of Great Bear Lake and about 100 kilometres north of Gameti, N.W.T.

In August, NASA named the spot on Mars where the Curiosity rover landed Aug. 5 after the N.W.T.’s capital, Yellowknife.