Ancient mud cracks on Mars point to conditions favorable for life

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https://www.science.org/content/article/ancient-mud-cracks-mars-point-conditions-favorable-life

By Phil Jacobs, Science. 

Excerpt: ...the discovery of distinctive mud cracks on the planet’s surface suggest ancient Mars cycled through sustained wet and dry seasons for millions of years. Not only would the climate have been habitable, scientists say, but the cycling might have also given the basic chemistry of life a boost. The discovery, reported today in Nature, is compelling evidence for an Earth-like climate on early Mars.... the Curiosity rover has discovered patterns of hexagon-shaped cracks in ancient rocks that add to the evidence for a sustained warm climate. They resemble patterns found on Earth in places like Death Valley, where they only form after years of wet-dry cycling.... 

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