Martian Mud...

[Orion1]

PASADENA, Calif. -- Mars had a shallow pool of briny water on its surface long ago, NASA said Tuesday in announcing what could be the strongest evidence yet that the now-dry Red Planet once was hospitable to life.

Reference:
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/mar/03242004/nation_w/150749.asp

[Janitor]

Are people cranking up any of the values that go into Drake's equation as a result of the finding that there was an era of standing water on Mars?

[Nereid]

Are people cranking up any of the values that go into Drake's equation as a result of the finding that there was an era of standing water on Mars?Maybe, but AFAIK, most of those who work in this field (astro-biologists?) were convinced many years ago that there was standing/flowing water on Mars way back when. Many will be not at all surprised if fossils of simple organisms - "bacteria" - are found. Of course, in a formal sense, you can't put in higher numbers until such fossils have been found ...

Now, if eukaryote-like fossils are found [8)] .... or (better) living bacteria
[o)]