Space / Mars

#75: Is That Water Flowing on Mars?

There may be water—and even life—in them there hills. 12.27.2011

One Giant Leap for Machine Kind

While human explorers remain stubbornly stuck in Earth orbit, robotic space probes are preparing for the next great age of exploration: drilling, rolling, sailing, and prospecting where nobody has gone before. 10.31.2011

NASA Ponders an 
Asteroid Shot

Putting people on a flying rock could be a good warm-up for the big prize: going to Mars. 05.06.2011

Driving Through Martian Storms on Earth

In a parched Nevada valley, scientists pursue miniature cousins of the whirlwinds that rage across the surface of the Red Planet. 01.31.2011

11 Space Missions That Will Make Headlines in 2011

This year, space exploration will bring news of expeditions to distant planets, the quest for life-friendly star systems, and the bold efforts of commercial space companies. Here's a preview of what to look forward to. 01.06.2011

The 100 Top Science Stories of 2010

Every year DISCOVER sorts through the scientific accomplishments of the past 12 months, and assembles a list of the coolest experiments, most brilliant discoveries, and most world-changing events. As you page through the countdown to the #1 science story, we think you'll come to the same conclusion we did: 2010 was quite a year. 12.16.2010

Renewed Hope for Life on the Red Planet

Is anything stirring on the dusty surface of Mars? A few bold scientists say we need speculate no longer: We have already found strong evidence of life there. 11.23.2010

The Freakiest Places in the Solar System

The stinkiest moon, the deepest canyon, the most shocking lightning storm: A guided tour to the solar system's most extraordinary spots. 10.26.2010

The Coolest Science Experiments in Antarctica

Researchers go neutrino-hunting and penguin-watching at the South Pole. 02.25.2010

#21: Fresh Hints of Life on Mars

Could underground life be emitting methane clouds during warm periods? 01.25.2010

#63: Did NASA’s Phoenix Find Liquid Water on Mars?

If fluid water does persist on Mars, life could be hanging on in thin layers of salty water just beneath the surface. 12.28.2009

The NASA School of Art

For 50 years, artists have had up-close, insider access to the space program. Here are the results. 10.16.2009

Russia's Dark Horse Plan to Get to Mars

The Fobos-Grunt mission might pave the way for humanity's first permanent space base—on Phobos, Mars' bizarre moon. 05.21.2009

A Scientist's Guide to Finding Alien Life: Where, When, and in What Universe

A variety of new findings point to the "habitable zones" where we're likely to find extraterrestrials. 05.11.2009

A Sneak Preview of the Mars Science Lab

The six-wheeled, plutonium-powered, car–sized vehicle aims to drill deeper and learn more. 01.26.2009

#6: Phoenix Lander Strikes Ice on Mars

Finally, positive confirmation of what we long thought and hoped for 12.21.2008

#60: Mars Became Lopsided After Massive Asteroid Collision

After 30 years, the debate over the red planet's shape may be over. 12.11.2008

The Solar System Looks Way Better Than It Used To

A comparison of landmark space pictures shows our imaging tech has improved in 40 years. A lot. 10.07.2008

Searching Heaven and Earth for the Real Johannes Kepler

Galileo may be science's most famous martyr, but it was Kepler who solved the mystery of the planets. 10.05.2008

What is This? The Surface of Mars?

Not quite—but some people pretend it is. 09.03.2008

The Robot Designed to Master Mars

Sandbot can scoot along any surface—including other planets. 06.04.2008

Diary of a Martian Explorer

Phoenix gives the first-ever firsthand account from the surface of the Red Planet. 06.02.2008

Will the Phoenix Lander End Up a Hero-bot or a Pile of Trash?

Many landers have tried to touch down on the Red Planet. Few have succeeded. 05.22.2008

The Make-Believe Mars

Earthlings go to Mars-esque locales to prepare for the real thing. 06.21.2007

Sunset over Mars

Requiem for the Mars Global Surveyor 03.14.2007

Mars Exposed

With the new Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter zeroing in on its target, NASA scientists prepare for an unprecedented look at the Red Planet's ancient seas and modern ice fields—key sites in the ongoing search for life. 10.10.2006

The Future of NASA

Michael Griffin is gearing NASA up to build a moon base. Is he paving the way to Mars or jeopardizing the future of American space exploration? 09.01.2006

Fossils of the First Life

New fossil analysis puts the beginning of life more than 3.4 billion years ago. 09.01.2006

Soviet Space Race, Round II

Nearly 40 years after Apollo, Russia eyes moon tourists--and the Red Planet. 08.01.2006

Are We Trapped On Earth?

Impossible Journey? 06.19.2006

Life on Mars

Minerals suggest microbes once flourished. 04.24.2006

Wet Mars

03.03.2006

The Year in Science: Space Exploration

NASA's latest manned rocket, Saturn's moons, comet smashing, and more. 01.08.2006

The Race to Mars

Will the European 2 Agency put astronauts on the Red Planet before NASA does? 11.22.2005

Mapping Mars

The red planet has plate tectonics. 10.25.2005

Life on Mars

05.01.2005

The Color of Mars

After dozens of missions and billions of dollars, NASA scientists are havin? surprisingly hard time agreeing on what the Red Planet really looks like 12.03.2004

Seeding the Universe

The search for life on Mars could be a bit complicated by the hitchhikers on our rovers 10.01.2004

Sky Lights

Does the secret of extraterrestrial life lie deep within the stars and planets? 07.25.2004

Discover Dialogue: Planetary Scientist Steve Squyres

What the team here at the Jet Propulsion Lab pulled off was magical. 06.27.2004

Ole Mars River

Meandering channels provide evidence for the Red Planet's watery past 11.21.2003

On Mars, NASA Seems to Be Brilliant

On Mars, NASA Seems to Be Brilliant 11.08.2003

Let's Go to Mars

Electroshock for a depressed space program 10.01.2003

Sky Lights

Never again in your lifetime will the Red Planet be so spectacular 08.01.2003

Tiny Tornadoes

Dust devils were one of those scientific mysteries no one on Earth bothered to study until we figured out that they may control Mars's weather 07.01.2003

Mars Express

Europe's space program takes a step forward—in science and prestige. 05.01.2003

Are We Ready for Alien Bugs?

In a dozen years, NASA plans to bring Mars soil samples to Earth. No one is quite certain what to do with them when they get here 03.01.2003

Dragonflies on Mars

11.01.2002

Sky Lights

Colors reveal what's brewing on other planets 12.01.2001

Did Life on Earth Come From Mars?

Chunks of planets were flying all over the place when the solar system was young—and some may have carried hitchhikers 08.01.2001

Sky Lights

Busting the myths about Mars 06.01.2001

Sky Lights

A preview of the coming year in astronomy, ready to clip to the fridge 01.01.2001

Sky Lights

Calculating the odds of surviving a manned mission to Mars 10.01.2000

Red Waterworld

09.01.2000

The Next Mission to Mars

A complete guide to the exciting December 3 touchdown near the Red Planet's South Pole 09.01.1999

Life From Mars

More evidence for fossilized bacteria in a meteorite from Mars. 06.01.1999

Sky Lights

Who needs a telescope when the Red Planet is this close? 05.01.1999

Here Comes Mars

Who needs a telescope when the Red Planet is this close? 05.01.1999

For the Love of Mars

The members of the Mars Society are united in their frontier vision of the Red Planet, but fiercely at odds on the nature of the Martian society they'll construct. 02.01.1999

For the Love of Mars

The members of the Mars Society are united in their frontier vision of the Red Planet, but fiercely at odds on the nature of the Martian society they'll construct. 02.01.1999

The Year in Science: Space 1997

Cheaper, Faster, Bouncier 01.01.1998

It's Only Rocket Science

So you don't happen to have a spare half-trillion dollars. Cheer up, there's more than one way to Mars, after all, it's only rocket science. 05.01.1997

The Ulitmate Suburb

Hints of fossilized microbes have rekindled NASA's hopes for a community on Mars. 05.01.1997

Chutes and Landers

03.01.1997

Martian Nights

03.01.1997

Questionable Life

Finding evidence of ancient life on Mars may be even more difficult than we thought. 02.01.1997

Find of the Century?

A meteorite bearing tantalizing evidence of life on Mars makes a big splash. 01.01.1997

Jack Farmer, Exopaleontologist

Sometime in the next century, he hopes to find fossil microbes on Mars. 10.01.1995

So Far, So Near

06.01.1994