It’s high time we just *went there* and settled this debate once and for all! Now two geologists are proclaiming that there may be water on Mars – because some of the desert formations seen there are similar to those observed in a part of New Mexico, which only occur in the presence of water. We can expect a refutation or counter-claim within weeks, no doubt.

It’s travelled 400 million kilometers in the last five months, but the long haulof the journey is now over. On April 11th, the Venus Express probe will begin its orbital capture maneuvers after temporarily shutting off communication with Earth. This will hopefully be followed by at least a year and a half of scientific observations.

Another planet could have formed in the space between Mars and Jupiter, back when the solar system was young. Two researchers reckon they may have the clues to pinpoint what happened to this missing planet, using data on the positions of certain groups of rocks near the asteroid belt.

Batteries need to be pack maximum power into minimum space – a tall order for many manufacturing methods. So why not leave the work to someone used to working at a small scale? MIT scientists have been tinkering with virus genes to make them collect the correct molecules and form them into tiny nanoscale wires on a polymer surface, which can then be sandwiched with other materials to produce a battery.

The New York Times is running an article about NASA’s ‘Centennial Challenges’, and other sponsored competitions which offer prizes to all-comers who can come up with new and innovative designs and ideas, from space elevators to solar sails. These offer the average man of science an unprecedented opportunity to work with ‘the big boys’, and contribute towards the cutting edge of technology.