An interesting pair of pictures over on APOD: photos taken by Mars Global Surveyor of the Centauri Montes region in August 1999 and September 2005 show a very interesting difference. Mouse over the picture below (colorized for dramatic effect!) to see what's up.

The NASA folks believe that this deposit might be evidence that actual liquid water bubbled up through the surface of this crater wall, pouring down the slope and leaving traces of its passage in the dirt and rocks before evaporating into the Martian atmosphere or freezing solid on the ground. The finding comes on the heels of a similar recent observation in Terra Sirenum. If true, it certainly encourages both continuing the search for microscopic life on Mars and the eventual colonization of the Red Planet, as liquid water on Mars suggests that the planet may be more hospitable toward life than previously assumed.

In related news, it seems that the Mars Global Surveyor may be out of commission, possibly for good. We'll continue to pull for a happy ending for the MGS, but either way, we say: the more missions (robotic or not), the better. Let's get cracking on the take-over of Mars!

If there is intelligent life on Mars they now need to act to halt further human plans.
If not they are destined to be decimated in order to make way for financial interest.. The survivors, like all those of aboriginal stock on Earth, are bound to populate modern prisons as their sexual habits could not possibly please the church's fathers.

The satellite photos are clear evidence of weapons of mass destruction. And we all know what a lepicidal maniac their Roman-helmeted leader is. Time to invade!