Mystery of Mars' missing water could be solved by the planet's tipsy tilt

Mars' axis tilts over the past 20 million years likely caused significant water loss, a new study suggests. Climate models show increased tilting led to more sunlight at the poles, melting ice and allowing water vapor to escape into space. This process could explain how Mars lost its ancient water bodies, transforming from a wet world to today's dry planet. The findings indicate atmospheric escape played a larger role than previously thought in Mars' desiccation.