Photo: Mars Was Warm, Wet, May Have Hosted Life, Study Says

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


A delta is seen in Mars's Jezero Crater, where scientists say ancient rivers once ferried claylike minerals (green) into a lake. The clays were then trapped by rocks (purple).

A July 2008 analysis of the clays suggests early Mars was a warm and wet place—a perfect host for the development of life.

Image courtesy NASA/JPL/JHUAPL/MSSS/Brown University

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.