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Science 3 December 2004:
Vol. 306. no. 5702, pp. 1689 - 1691
DOI: 10.1126/science.1105533
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Perspectives

Also see the archival list of Science's Compass: Enhanced Perspectives

PLANETARY SCIENCE:
Enhanced: Proof for Water, Hints of Life?

Jeffrey S. Kargel

Since 25 January of this year, NASA's Opportunity rover has been exploring Mars' Meridiani Planum, a smooth, flat plain that is unlike any feature studied by earlier martian landers. In his Perspective, Kargel discusses the insights into martian geochemistry and geology gained from the rover that are reported in 11 reports and research articles in this issue of Science. Together with observations from spacecraft that are currently orbiting the planet, the data provide an unprecedented glimpse into how water shaped the martian surface. The author cautions that Mars may never have been very Earth-like and that we must, until we learn otherwise, assume that life exists on Mars, in order to protect Earth and any species that might be present on Mars.

The author is with the U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA. E-mail: jkargel{at}usgs.gov

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
A Martian analog in Kansas: Comparing Martian strata with Permian acid saline lake deposits.
K. C. Benison (2006)
Geology 34, 385-388
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