MRO and Phoenix Continue to Discover

New Findings Show Diverse, Wet Environments on Ancient Mars

“Mars once hosted vast lakes, flowing rivers and a variety of other wet environments that had the potential to support life, according to two new studies based on data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) and other instruments on board NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). One study, published in the July 17 issue of Nature, shows that vast regions of the ancient highlands of Mars–which cover about half the planet–contain clay minerals, which can form only in the presence of water.”

NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander to Begin Rasping Frozen Layer
Phoenix Mars Lander Rasps Frozen Layer, Collects Sample