An analysis of high-resolution topographic maps and photographs, as well as recent studies of Martian meteorites suggest the presence of water on the Red Planet for a longer time scale than scientists had previously believed. “There has always been evidence from very ancient valley networks that water was there at some time extremely early on,” Brian M. Hynek, doctoral candidate in earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis said. “But new evidence from meteorites, young gullies, and better topographic resolution is helping to clarify a more precise time frame for water on the planet.”