Orbiting satellites, two hardy rovers, and a lander near the north pole have been sending back exciting evidence that the red planet may have once hosted oceans, rivers, and lakes of liquid water.
Get the latest news and images from this suite of Mars-based missions, and catch up on the compelling evidence for the planet's watery history—including hints that life may still be lurking below the surface.
| || || Panorama Marks Mars Rover's 4th Year (January 30, 2008)|
Colorful mosaics from inside Victoria Crater herald the four-year anniversary of the rover Opportunity's arrival on the red planet.
| || || Ice Lake Found on Mars (August 2, 2005)|
Life on Mars? Who knows? Ice on Mars? Most definitely—and now we've got more cold, hard evidence.
| || || "Frozen Sea" Seen on Mars (February 23, 2005)|
Martian pack ice is clearly visible for the first time, scientists say. It may be the best evidence yet of past seas, and it adds credence to the idea of life on Mars.
| || || Early Mars Had Floods, Yellowstone-Like Hot Springs (May 22, 2008)|
The formation of an Idaho canyon thousands of years ago, along with recent discoveries of ancient hot springs and geysers on Mars, has given scientists a clearer picture of how water sculpted the surface of the red planet.
| || || Mars Scientists Intensify Search for Water (December 15, 2006)|
Spurred on by new evidence of water, experts announced plans to use powerful cameras to seek rock-solid proof that the liquid hasn't stopped flowing on Mars.
| || || Mars Has Liquid Water, New Photos Suggest (December 6, 2006)|
NASA released images today that reveal water likely flowed through Martian gullies within the past few years, providing a "squirting gun" of liquid water's presence on the red planet.
| || || Young Mars Was Wet, Mineral Map Shows (April 20, 2006)|
Mars was once wet, many scientists say. Now it's dry. For the first time, a geological map of the entire planet is revealing the history of its dessication.