Studies of Martian meteorites are allowing scientists their first look at sample material from the planet. Remarkable high resolution images and topographical data from the orbiting Mars Global Surveyor are currently revolutionising our understanding of this most Earthlike of worlds. With many more orbiter, lander and sample return missions planned over the next decade, Mars is likely to remain at the top of the planetary scientists' agenda for a long time to come. During the one day symposium, discussions will focus on a number of fundamental questions concerning the existence of water on Mars. At the moment, scientists have relatively little information on which to base their conclusions.
Martian meteorites offer some clues about conditions in the past.
The Martian polar ice caps certainly contain some water, as well as frozen carbon dioxide. Wispy clouds composed of water ice crystals drift across the Martian sky. Splash' rings around some impact craters may be indicative of mudflows caused by melted permafrost. Many of these topics will be discussed during the meeting. New spectral data, altimetry, and high resolution imaging from Mars Global Surveyor are causing us to revise our ideas on the history of water on Mars.