NASA ONMARS
How Mars missions of the past and present have greatly shaped our knowledge of the Red Planet
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
M ars conjures up images of a dry, dusty and desolate planet. But if you examine the minerals beneath its surface and the shape of every mound and crevice, it becomes apparent its past holds a different story. Craters once contained bodies of water, and its abundant liquid carved grooves and valleys. How do we know all of this about a planet millions of miles away from our own, and one which humans have never set foot on? Observations and findings have been achieved using machines.