Oh, just once I'd like to read about a cool discovery like this and see comments at the bottom that don't follow the tiresome gamut of god-bothering drivel, fake "who cares?" comments that were put there for no apparent reason whatsoever (f you don't care, why comment?), sanctimonious "we shouldn't explore space until we've fed every last human being on earth" (with that attitude, we never would have emerged from caves if we had to hold up progress for the stragglers who couldn't quite get the hang of throwing rocks) and doomsday "we don't deserve to explore other planets because we can't solve our problems with war/politics/the tax code/missing socks." Just once.

T. Roth, Danbury, CT, USA

What , no trace of rennet ?

Swilly Tisher, Loch Maree, Scotland

Nasa and other space agencies know way more than what they're telling us... Ever wonder why google mars shows Mars satellite images ONLY in black and white and mysteriously red-hued images (even the white lander is red coloured!)

Black and white! Perhaps NASA/JPL couldn't afford to put an thousands-dollar colour camera in a hundreds- of millions dollar spacecraft... and don't bother to tell me about the extra download time required for colour images... that's lame after 3 and a half years.

I'm beginning to think that the Brookings report is right, that there's still a lot of hardcore religious people who will go crazy-nuts once they learn that Earth just isn't that special little jewel in the whole universe.

glen parrish, north vancouver, canada

Tell your Eathlings to stop this annoying disturbance of my silican exploding device...

Marvin, West Pole, Mars

I always find it disappointing when people say that the money used in Exploration should be used in tackling hunger in the world or curing cancer. The money used in all basic science is a drop in the ocean compared to arms sales. The drive for exploration has been a gem in the crown of what makes us human, as opposed to the ther half of our nature, the drive for extinction facilitated by guns. Exploration of Mars is an exploration of our planets origins. We have no record of the conditions of the start of life on earth. Mars may hold the key to us understanding where we came from. While those who are religious will point to an obvious flaw in this argument, will say that religion tells us why we are here, it does not say how. Understanding the fundamental laws of this universe has been conducted by religious as well as secular scholars for centuries. So put aside your religious difference, put aside your weapons and know that as a race we search the stars for signs of our origin.

Steelie, TAKOMA PARK, MD

Don't really care whether there ever was life on Mars but maybe if they can find out where the water went, figure out a way to create more air and warm Mars up some, then when we've totally messed up this planet we'll have somewhere else to live!

Rich, Surrey, UK

"science continually forces religion to make concessions -- or do you still believe the earth is the flat center of the universe?" Science has never forced the bible to make concessions, the Bible describes the Earth as being a sphere, not flat. There will always be a religion which will strive for power and so not follow that which they claim to follow, but please seperate religions from the bible, which has never been disproven in the slightest and has never made any concessions.

Nate, Boston, MA

"science continually forces religion to make concessions -- or do you still believe the earth is the flat center of the universe?" Science has never forced the bible to make concessions, the Bible describes the Earth as being a sphere, not flat. There will always be a religion which will strive for power and so not follow that which they claim to follow, but please seperate "reigions" from the bible, which has never been disproven in the slightest and has never made any concessions.

Nate, Boston, MA

i reckon mars was like earth thousands of years ago and that earth will become like mars. Excitement, I can't wait.

che, essex, uk

You Americans should be very proud of yourselves. This Englishman has seen your country (and mine) go through a few difficulties recently (fake wars etc.) but hopefully we will sort them out and get on with the things that should be occupying our minds. New types of energy through space exploration is the way forward. also, how can anyone still hold the belief that a god through which ever faith actually exists. Life on Mars. Let's get rid of pathetic fairy tales of dioses to rid us of religous war, try and sort out the corruption in Africa and we'd all live in a more peacful place. Please make great strides forward NASA. we are all watching. Fantastic.

david squires, las palmas, spain

The (once) presence of water does not prove the (once) existence of life. At least not scientifically. Only fossils do.

Mark Henderson, The Hague, Netherlands

Im not too sure whether it is absolutely necassary to pursue life elsewhere. If we did find any life, it will be less inteligent than us and if we dont, it is because they would have found us first if they existed. Do you people really think that if there is more intelligent life out there, the ET's are gonna be that bothered about us at all? We are the idiots flying around in space.
Like many humans have said on this blog, i think that we should be sorting out problems at home before going out there and looking for something a few million light years away. Use all this money to battle aids, cancer and use all this intelligence in a more humble and rational way.
To conclude - well done nasa for spending billions of dollars on 2 remote controlled cars that have found some red dust. I am in awe of technology, but i think i would be much more impressed if we just knew how to use it properly.

Dominic, Mauritius,

Great news! THis may make colonization that much easier as we head out to te satrs to explore God's great universe!

john karpiscak, Fredericksburg, Virginia

What the hell kind of tests where they running that it took 3 years- and an accident- to realize it had been sitting in sand the whole time?

Zarathustra, Portland, OR

I wonder then what we will dig up next, is this where we came from? After globally warming Mars we shifted a step out to earth and now we are repeating the exercise, What planet is cooler than earth? and how long before we move there?.

Anthony B, Wretton, UK

Humans are way too fragile to ever leave planet Earth.
Scientists, however, will one day, be able to create Super-Humans, using super-intelligent computers. Imagine a perfect, synthetic, ‘nanoengineered’ non-biodegradable body, thereby achieving immortality. Only then, they'll (molecular machines ) will be able to travel outerspace, thanks to the human genome project --‘the blueprint for making a human being’.

Mohammed, London, UK

There is global warming on Mars, so the water will all disappear anyway. Back to the drawing board.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

I thought I once seen little green men on Mars once but it was just the children next door putting jelly babies on the end of the telescope.

Tom Morton, Liskeard, Cornwall

Aaron Baca,

said, "Science explains the "whys" and faith explains the "hows"."

I think this should be the other way around, Aaron.

Moses would have been so ashamed..

Jonathan Duke, Liverpool,

Brilliant! Hopefully a step closer to discovering evidence of life on other planets. Wouldnt it be great if the discovery of life on other planets helped us understand how we came about ourselves. Maybe even inspired us to stop fighting and focus on exploring.

Whats this about god though? I thought all that superstitious nonsense about god was done away with decades ago? You cant seriously tell me that people these days still actually believe in the sky-fairies?

Chris, Perth, Australia

The needs of the one can accomplish the wants of the many. This is because the wants of the many clearly outweigh the needs of few,or the one.(Spock revised)

Spock , Vulcan,

What is so extraordinary about finding signs that there was once upon a time,water on Mars?In a few centuries from now,as 'earthlings' who have been forced to relocate to another planet,some boffin will come up with the idea to send an exploration vehicle to explore what was 'Earth' and lo and behold, it will discover that there was once water present. Connecting religious beliefs to scientific beliefs is as ludicrous as 'the King has no clothes' belief.

Robert Walton, Niagara Falls, Canada

Alex Kerr, London, UK. Your god seems to have a huge ego. Imagine creating all this life just to praise him.

It does seem like an awfully human trait.

It's a bit like me writing a computer program to tell me every 5 to 10 minutes how great and wonderful I am.

About the discovery. It's an exciting development

Jite, london, England

is this all? Do they tell us everything? or are they trying to relase the information so slowly, to smoothen the possible reactions???

cemil deniz, istanbul, turkey

I'm really very surprised at the ignorance I'm seeing in these comments. Scientists aren't trying to disprove God. This baseless talking point has been around since Gallileo by people afraid that science will somehow cheapen their faith. I don't recall a bible passage where god said that there was no possibility of life anywhere but on our little blue rock.
Science has no place in faith and it has never tried to have one. Science explains the "whys" and faith explains the "hows".
I consider myself to have a backround deeply rooted in science, yet I don't believe my faith in God is in any way diminished by the pursuit of knowledge. If anything I am in awe of God's creativity.

Aaron Baca, Everett, Wa

This project is an extraordinary landmark in the history of human exploration. How remarkable it is to be able to count this among the human race's achievements.

For a change, let us be very proud of ourselves and the amazing resourcefulness of the human species.

Patrick Treacy, Cork, Ireland

While the search for life in outer space is commendable, one should not lose sight of what the negative results since should teach non-intelligent life here on earth; to wit,that life is extremely rare, and that we should not be poisoning our seas, nor killing off the diversity of species, nor destroying their natural habitat, nor overcrowding the overburdened planet with more quantity of our species than quality.

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

Why does the discovery of water on Mars challenge the existance of god/gods? Why would the discovery of life on other planets challenge the existance of god/gods? It would only do so if your interpretation of god/gods is the rather arrogant one that assumes that mankind is in some way special when compared to other forms of life in the universe.

Gordon Callan, Shanghai, China

"Wonder if he'll ever know. He's in a best selling show"

Bromley Dave

Michael Holloway, Sydney, Australia/ NSW

All relevant responses… I find the technology awesome, the mere thought of seeing another planet incredible, but I keep coming back to what our priorities should be and I reluctantly agree with many that our world here is sadly in need of the resources we so readily pour into space exploration. The billions could do so much for our world here and now. I know all the potential long term benefits from things like this but they are way too long term for our needy planet.
And for all you Christians (I’m one too): why do you have a problem with the possibility of life elsewhere? CS Lewis explores the issue most eloquently in his space trilogy.
But humans will be humans and explore we will – at the cost of our most needy brothers.

Jimm, Auckland, New Zealnd

Just once I'd like to read something about remarkable, valuable science without some religious nut sticking in his/her twopen'orth! It does not matter one iota whether we make any practical use of this information (though I sincerely hope we do) - the knowledge itself is worthwhile. This is a triumph for mankind's ingenuity, and I don't see any supernatural being helping out, so I'll just congratulate NASA, and hope the superstitious learn to join the real world.

Rationalist, Sheffield, UK

European intervention in Africa doesnt exactly have a great history, does it?

Whatever has been done, has simply made matters worse in the long run for ordinary Africans.

Only Africa can solve it's problems. Europe and America need to leave it alone. No aid, no trade and no more meddling.

After a thousand years or so, Africa may be in a position to take its place with the rest of us.

In the mean time the rest of humanity should get on with doing what it does best.

Explore, build and innovate, aiming towards the stars.

And let those who would rather massacre each other and stone women to death over wells poisoned by witchcraft to get on with it.

Alastair, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

J your perception of religion is very naive. The Bible does explain our exsitance but why do you assume there is nothing else in the Universe God could have created. Before or even after us.

Jeff C, Nederland, TX

Science is the search for truth. Why are so many people afraid of what science might find? If you truly have faith and truly believe in God, you would not be so afraid of science. If your religion is so stringent it cannot adapt, as science does, to what we know, maybe you need to reconsider what you believe. Don't forget, religion is man-made and men are not perfect. That is why science is always changing, maybe religion should be too?

Mike, Los Angeles, CA

Call me when NASA finds water... Not evidence of water and other derived conclusions. This is getting tired.

Steve, Bloomfield Hills, glucomashire

I find it intriguing to see the pessimistic nonsense on here about "we are alone" and "life elsewhere would disprove God". The Vatican for one has wholly stated it's support of and belief in extraterrestrial life elsewhere. Quite how anyone can think that God would not have created a universe teeming with life to worship and praise Him I have no idea, but it must be a sad life to be so pessimistic. Not only that, but we are not "nothing" or "insignificant" - we are very important to God, as will be the trillions of other people on other planets out in the Cosmos. It is a shame mainstream science (and people that believe it) is so closed minded as to not be able to accept reality.

Alex Kerr, London, UK

Interesting but not surprising as I believe it was already believed that there once was water on Mars because of certain landscape and erosion features. I hope that those of you thinking that Satan lurks around every corner are joking, as science continually forces religion to make concessions -- or do you still believe the earth is the flat center of the universe?

Joe, Houston, TX

People, this is indeed exciting, all theological conondrums aside. We do need to take the long range view in our continued habitation here on Planet Earth, and anything that can help us understand the extremes that a planetary environment can vaccilate between will help us in years to come, whether our focus as a species is on charity or exploration. We need to understand the parameters of our own biosphere and our impacts upon it, and non-terrestial study is an incredibly valuable tool. Time will tell, as the early explorers of the western hemisphere affirmed to their sponsors. Never say this type of reaching out is a waste of resources: it may lead to undreamed-of opportunities for our children and their children.

AL, Baltimore,

Spirit & Opportunity....Life.

The Spirit of God moved over the water and created life on Earth. Want something to "gasp" about? Discover the source of eternal life by digging into the Bible. It's much more exciting than the *possibility* of water on some distant planet that *may* have supported life.

Sonclad, North Bend, WA

woah.

me, onley , United states

All this is fine. but what are our priorities? Either we relieve Africa of its terrible problems or we pump money into projects that will be profitable in the next century. What is the priority?

brookes, Orgerus, France

Water? Perhaps. Life? Never.
We are, and always will be alone, as are/were created, and did not appera as a result of happen chance.

J, F.Valley, CA

It amazing how important it is to scientists to prove that Mars had/has water and that it is elsewhere in the cosmos. The assumption is that if there is water then there is a chance that there is life as well. SO WHAT! We are going to be extinct here in no time because we can't even manage to not destroy the one place that we do know supposts life. It is beyond any hope or ability that we can get to one of these places and terraform it before we perish here. Keep the people doubting the biblical account of creation and it eases their sense of accountability of scriptural life guidlines. The bible says that their will be great signs, well they haven't happened yet but it seems people are being geared up to believe that if life is found elsewhere then it disproves God. So why would the devil not use that one to mmislead. My point: life outside of earth is totally irrelevant and if found could be a supernatural hoax. We need to prepare for judgement day and care for the planet we live on.

Kevin T, Brantford, ON

This is so cool! Maybe before my 65th birthday I can be the first Fat man on mars. I vote for less war and more exploration of our universe.

Robert Therrien, Ortonville, Michigan

It has always in some degree been known that there is life somewhere other than earth. To discover this means a great deal to mankind and can potentially open our eyes as to the existance of mankind and where we stem from. All though Science is as we call an "EXACT" Science. It has taught us a great deal of our existance on this planet. I strongly feel that Science will some day prove that MANKIND did not just appear from No where. we stem from a long chain of evolution that exceeds our expectations.
*** Food for thought
Alot of people are NOt in agreeance with thoeries of science such as the big bang theory. However, Let's talk a walk through evolution. Evolution is not necessarily man kind evolving from primapes or anything of that nature. It is simply evolving from something less complex than our selves. Example: (Big Boom Theory) If you take one atom from one organism and take another atom from another organism you get a totally new organinsm. Hmm.. Big Boom Theory strikes again

Chad Joy, Katy, Texas

They need to send a trenching maching to Mars to get under the soil and find the billions of fossils that are likely (IMHO) there. After all, we need to see if they developed just like we did. They may very well have escaped to Earth!

SH, Bowling Green, Ohio

Well done Rover and NASA.

Susan, Barry, S Wales

Incredible! Why doesn't this get more press?

rcm, Carlisle,

These NASA rovers are a marvel of modern engineering. I'm astonished, amazed and full of pride for NASA and all of human kind everytime I read and seak out more information about them. What an accomplishment!! Hopefully some of this new knowledge and technology will find its way to consumers. Can we make one to do all my chores now...?

Mark, Washington D.C.,

We need to stop spending in wars and start concerning on other energy sources out of the planet Earth, this is the answer other energy sources in other planets like Mars.

Jose, Fort Myers,

Keep on truckin... Its this kind of science that rewards us for the effort. And good on you for designing a machine that continues to perform. And good on the vendors that supplied the components, not just to spec but to the best our country can produce.

Mike Westkamper, saybrook, ct

absolutely awesome. It makes me excited to see these things on other planets.

i cannot wait until we are on mars. probably will take till im in my 50's but oh well. I will be glued to the television watching.

Jonathan, Yarmouth, MA

It is only a matter of time before some visionary starts bottling the water and selling it for $5.00 a bottle here on earth.

Nathan , Tacoma , USA