Gallery: Newest Mars Probe Reveals Clues to the Planet's Watery Past

  • Image may contain Sphere Astronomy Universe Space Outer Space Planet Globe and Earth
    NASA
    01

    mars-landscape-dry-wet

    This artist’s concept depicts the early Martian environment (right) – believed to contain liquid water and a thicker atmosphere – versus the cold, dry environment seen at Mars today (left).
  • Image may contain Moon Universe Space Astronomy Night Outdoors Outer Space Nature Planet Earth and Globe
    NASA
    02

    mars-globes-wet-dry

    This artist’s concept depicts the early Martian environment (left) – believed to contain liquid water and a thicker atmosphere – versus the cold, dry environment seen at Mars today (right).
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Sky Mountain Sunset Dusk Dawn Red Sky Sunrise Sunlight Sun Light and Flare
    NASA
    03

    mars-crater-wet-dry

    This artist’s concept depicts the early Martian environment – believed to contain liquid water and a thicker atmosphere – versus the cold, dry environment seen at Mars today.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Helicopter Aircraft Universe Space Astronomy and Outer Space
    NASA
    04

    maven-mars-limb

    This artist’s concept depicts the early Martian environment (right) – believed to contain liquid water and a thicker atmosphere – versus the cold, dry environment seen at Mars today (left).
  • Image may contain Lighting Rug and Water
    NASA
    05

    siding-spring-maven-hlya-coadded-7oct2014

    An ultraviolet image of hydrogen surrounding the comet Siding Spring.
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Night Astronomy Universe Space Outer Space Lunar Eclipse Moon and Eclipse
    NASA
    06

    iuvs-final-image-annotated

    MAVEN's observations of the Red Planet's extended upper atmosphere.
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    NASA
    07

    2013-4025

    A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket stands ready to boost the MAVEN spacecraft on a 10-month journey to Mars.
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