The mysteries from the Red Planet just keep on coming: On the ground, NASA's Opportunity rover is carefully picking its way down a deep crater, sending back a stunning postcard along the way. Meanwhile, high above, the European Mars Express orbiter has sent back curious evidence of equatorial deposits of material that go more than a mile beneath the Martian surface. Is it water ice? Dust? Volcanic ash? Scientists can’t yet answer that question, but they really want to. If it’s ice, that could help answer questions about Mars' past - and its future.
First, about NASA's rovers: For some weeks now, Opportunity and its twin, Spirit, have been focusing on long-term science projects. Spirit is looking at an intriguing layered rock formation nicknamed "Home Plate" that may shed light on ancient volcanic activity - and also looking for a safe, sunny place to spend the Martian winter. On the other side of the Red Planet, Opportunity has driven down the inside slope of half-mile-wide Victoria Crater and is looking at a mysterious light-toned band of rock just below the crater's rim.
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