More Ice on Mars!

Although The Phoenix lander accomplished its mission of finding ice on Mars, that hasn't stopped scientists from looking elsewhere on the martian planet. Obviously the best way to search for ice across vast distances would be taking photographs from orbit, as opposed to having a lander physically travel places. So, using just such a tool, called the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), scientists began scouring the surface of Mars for more signs of ice. And fortunately for them, it became quite clear that ice could be found elsewhere on the planet.

Due to its' lack of atmosphere, Mars often has meteorite impacts, which leave craters along its' surface often exposing things hidden under the martian dust. So while searching for these impact craters scientists were able observe new ice found just below the martian surface. What's so special about this ice you ask? Well this ice is pure water, whereas ice found on the surface, as to opposed under it, is usually a half dust/half water mixture. After examining these photos, scientists theorized that Mars once had an ice age much like ours, where the planet was engulfed in an eternal winter. If this theory is true, it further widens the mystery that is Mars' history. Who knows, maybe there's some ancient animal frozen within these ice craters.

-Conor Stenerson

UPDATE:

To answer some of the questions: As awesome as finding pure ice on Mars is, it still leaves the chance for life on the planet at a marginal percentage. Currently, NASA defines that the conditions needed for life are a source of organic molecules, liquid medium, and an energy source; Mars lacks a liquid medium. So unfortunately, either Mars once had liquid water, opening the possibility for fossilized life, or if we're lucky there are still some liquid water deposits underground containing basic martian microbes or if we're REALLY lucky a complex organism.