And I guess this leads back to the question of the thread, which is what will we find on Mars itself. The fact that it may have had lots of water (at least in the area of that lander), means only that ONE material factor in life existing there has been found to have existed there.
I think the idea is that at some point Mars had a much richer atmosphere not to unlike earth. I remember watching a documentary were they sugested that at some point in mars's history, it lost it's atmospheric pressure. It was said that perhapse a near miss comet 'sucked' it away as it sped by.
Also, I have read of seemingly eroded geological structures that some scientists hypothisise were caused by oceans and rivers at some point. I belive that them finding some water, makes them wonder if there was more water.
Personaly, I hope they find conclusive evidence of life
. I just think that would be fantastic!
Mars seems a good candidate.
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