Mars

Scientists are watching Mars, the fourth planet from the sun. Right now, three nosy little spacecraft are studying its surface. They are digging and taking pictures. Three more are traveling around in the sky, high above Mars. All six are working to find clues about the planet's past. Did anything ever live on Mars?

A Search for Water

The biggest clue is water. All living things known to humans need water. On September 29, scientists had big news. One spacecraft, the Phoenix lander, had spotted snow high in the sky on Mars. Snow is made of water. Earlier, Phoenix had found ice.

Mars shows many signs of water. But so far, scientists have found no other signs of life. The work is not over yet. A rover named Opportunity is beginning a seven-mile trip to explore a crater. The rover moves slowly. It will take two years to drive seven miles! One of the spacecraft in the Mars sky will guide Opportunity.

More to Explore

New ships are on the way. In 2009, space scientists plan to send a larger rover, called the Mars Science Laboratory.

Someday, scientists hope to send a robot to gather rocks and return them to Earth. People could study the rocks, and learn more about the planet.

Will humans ever send an astronaut to the planet? That is an exciting idea. But until people can land on Mars's red soil, machines will have to do the exploring. So far, they are doing an amazing job.