Mars Rover Finds Changing Rocks, Surprising Scientists

It is fascinating to see how much geological history the team has been able to uncover with the various point measurements and a stratigraphic analysis. The best summary I know of is in this article in Science (http://www.sciencemag.org/content/350/6257/aac7575.abstract?...), which documents the discovery of stream beds feeding an ancient lake within Gale crater, river delta formations with progressively finer sediments, and small eroded canyons. It's impressive work.

(Full text article appears to be here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linda_Kah/publication/2...)

Does the end say there is life on mars?

"The scientists did not present new findings on organics, the carbon-based molecules that could serve as the building blocks for life. Dr. Vasavada said that signs of organics had been spotted, but the scientists were still analyzing them.

“Stay tuned,” he said. “There are organics in several of these samples we’ve been seeing lately.”"

Original story from NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/rocks-rich-in-silica-present...

Got to pump up that funding with continuous new discoveries.