Past Mars Investigations

Like the Earth, the climate of Mars has changed over time. Today, Mars is cold and dry and liquid water is not stable on the surface. However, very early in the planet’s history (more than 3.5 billion years ago), climatic conditions appear to have been favorable for the presence of liquid water on the surface. Our group studies how the Martian climate evolved from the earliest climatic epoch (the Noachian) to the present.

Noachian Mars:  Liquid water was sustained (periodically, at the very least) early in Mars’ history.

Post-Noachian Mars:  Variations in Mars’ orbit parameters have driven changes to the Martian climate throughout its history.