It's official: Mars once had water

U.S. researchers have determined without a doubt there once was water on the surface of Mars based on data sent back from two NASA rovers.

A team of more than 100 scientists from numerous government agencies and universities, among them Mark Lemmon of Texas A&M University's College of Geosciences, co-wrote a series of 11 articles appearing in this week's special issue of the journal Science.

The NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars in January and have been sending back data and images since.

"The conclusion of the entire team, backed by substantial evidence, is that water was indeed present on Mars," Lemmon said. "The proof is there in several ways. There are sulfates present on Mars that were left behind when the water evaporated, plus other salts that show the definite presence of water long ago."

However, he said there has been no data to indicate there still is water on the planet.

"The marks on some of the rocks and other evidence suggest standing water," Lemmon said. "But whether this was once an ocean or other large body of water, we just don't know."

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