AP
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June 21, 2008
The apparent discovery of ice near Mars' north pole has scientists asking: Did the frozen water melt at some point in the planet's history to create an environment friendly for life?
The big question is whether the ice ever melted and remained stable long enough as a liquid.
"If so, one of the requirements is satisfied for life as we know it," said geobiologist Kenneth Nealson.
The Phoenix spacecraft exposed bright white crumbs at the bottom of a trench while digging on Mars this week.
The bits disappeared in new photos sent back Thursday, convincing scientists that the magic act was evidence of ice that vaporized after being exposed to the sun.
