Science

Was there ever life on Mars? The history of our hunt for extraterrestrials

Scientists are seeking signs of ancient life.

by JoAnna Wendel
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Mars has been a target for exploration since the 1600s, when scientists wondered whether extraterrestrial beings populated the planet.

Carlos Fernandez

In the late 1800s, astronomer Percival Lowell claimed to see canals carved into the Martian surface, “proving” the existence of intelligent life.

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