Presented by Peter Grindrod – Birkbeck, University of London
There is compelling evidence that the atmosphere and climate of Mars have affected the global distribution and chemistry of water, ultimately controlling the habitability of the planet. Martian stratigraphy provides a rich record of the paleoclimate and paleohydrology of the planet, revealing changes in the surface environment over a range of timescales. The current paradigm presents a Mars that has become less habitable with time. This talk will discuss the evolution of water and habitability on Mars in light of recent results and the importance of landing site selection for the ESA ExoMars 2018 rover.