Professor Mark Sims on the discovery that Beagle 2 made it to the surface

Vast valley networks on Mars have suggested that water may have flowed there for millions of years. Now a study at Brown University suggests the valleys could have been carved by much less water in as little as a few hundred to 10,000 years. The findings are consistent with the idea that early Mars may have been cold and icy, with surface water flowing sporadically in response to short-term climate changes.

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captures a spectacular enhanced colour image of an ancient crater on the red planet showing rippling sand dunes and eroded bedrock.

NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover has started drilling in a clay-bearing unit on the slope of Mount Sharp where rocks formed in the presence of water are expected.