Technologies

NASA spacecraft has scientists rethinking the timeline for water on Mars

Just how ancient were those Mars ponds and streams?

This story is part of Welcome to Mars, our series exploring the red planet.

Scientists have been working hard to untangle the mysteries of water on Mars, from current-day concerns (what’s under the southern ice cap) to the planet’s ancient past. A study using data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft suggests we may need to revise the known timeline for flowing water on the red planet.

Mars today is a dry, dusty place. Scientists have said it was once much wetter, but that the water evaporated from the surface about 3 billion years ago. The new study, published in the journal AGU Advances late last year, found evidence of flowing water as recently as 2 billion to 2.5 billion years ago.

The timeline for Mars water is important for understanding the potential habitability of the planet. «The discovery raises new questions about how long microbial life could have survived on Mars, if it ever formed at all,» NASA said in a statement on Wednesday. «On Earth, at least, where there is water, there is life.» NASA’s Perseverance rover, for example, is looking for signs of ancient microbial life inside an ancient lakebed.

Evaporating water often leaves behind telltale signs it was there. In the case of Mars, those come in the form of chloride salt deposits. MRO data allowed the researchers to map the presence of these deposits in a region of Mars marked by impact craters. «These craters were one key to dating the salts: The fewer craters a terrain has, the younger it is. By counting the number of craters on an area of the surface, scientists can estimate its age,» NASA said.

MRO collects data in multiple ways. For this study, the spacecraft’s cameras and its Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (Crism) instrument provided key information. Crism is able to spot mineral residue that forms from water. The researchers examined former ponds and streams and dated the deposits. That’s how they arrived at the updated timeline for flowing water on the red planet.

Our understanding of Mars is constantly evolving as robotic explorers investigate the planet from the surface and from above. Said study co-author Bethany Ehlmann, a planetary scientist at Caltech, «What is amazing is that after more than a decade of providing high-resolution image, stereo, and infrared data, MRO has driven new discoveries about the nature and timing of these river-connected ancient salt ponds.»

Technologies

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Teaser: Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway Are Back in Vogue

The much-anticipated fashion-forward sequel is set to hit theaters on May 1.

Fashion never truly goes out of style. Twenty years after the 2026 release of The Devil Wears Prada, set in the cutthroat world of fashion magazines, a sequel is coming May 1. A teaser for The Devil Wears Prada 2 was released on Wednesday, reuniting Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly and Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs.

Based on the book by Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy’s journey into the world of fashion editorial and her dramatic relationship with Miranda, the powerful editor of Runway magazine. The sequel takes viewers back to this cutthroat world, where the duo struggles with the decline of print media as they compete for readers and revenue against rival Emily Charlton (played by Emily Blunt), Miranda’s former assistant.

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Streep received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Miranda, a character loosely inspired by Vogue’s former editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Stanley Tucci returns alongside Blunt to reprise his role as Nigel, Miranda’s close friend and fashion expert. David Frankel, who directed the first movie, is back to direct the sequel.

Technologies

‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer Teases Terrifying Toy Battle: Woody and Buzz vs. a Tablet

The movie is set to premiere on June 19, 2026.

Pixar has released the first teaser trailer for Toy Story 5, which is set to premiere in theaters on June 19, 2026. Woody and Buzz Lightyear have come a long way since that first movie, which premiered 30 years ago, in November 1995. They’ve been through a lot, but now, there’s a new threat in town. It may be the toughest foe they’ve ever met: a kid’s tablet. How will screen time impact this group of lovable toys?

The clip gives us the first glimpse of the tech toy. Named Lilypad, the tablet is voiced by Tron: Ares star Greta Lee. While the plot of the movie has mostly been kept under wraps, it’s clear that these classic toys will now be competing against electronics to win Bonnie’s attention. Something tells me this will be no easy feat.

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Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz, respectively. Joan Cusack is back as Jessie, along with Tony Hale’s return as Forky. Conan O’Brien also appears in the movie as Smarty Pants, a tech-based toilet training toy.

«It’s been a hilarious and poignant journey exploring how our favourite team of legacy toys might respond to today’s world of technology, and we’re thrilled to share this first glimpse with audiences,» director Andrew Stanton and co-director Kenna Harris said in a statement, «Having the remarkably talented Greta Lee bring Lilypad to life — balancing a playfully antagonistic tone with humour and heart — has been incredible.»

You can watch the teaser below and stream the other four Toy Story films on Disney Plus.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Nov. 13

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Nov. 13.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

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Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.