Science: Challenging Your Perceptions Like Never Before

Several years ago, there was a big hullabaloo about an ancient Martian rock found in Antarctica which may or may not have contained fossils of ancient Martian life. Although the discovery drummed up speculation and questions, there was enough doubt to keep the rock from being "Earth-shattering." Today's news goes a step further.

As MSNBC reports, "New observations of Mars' interior have revealed a crater hidden from the surface and new information about ice below the polar cap... [and] points to the chemical signatures of past water on Mars, adding to other evidence suggesting a wet past. "

Speculation from the BBC report states, "It is thought the greatest reservoir of retained water on Mars could be found beneath the surface, perhaps providing a habitat for microbial life. "

With each new discovery, the center of the universe seems to be getting a lot larger. Earlier this year the discovery of water jets on Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, gave the scientific community more to ponder, and for years there has been talk of oceans on moons of Jupiter as well. The new info about Mars, however, is much more exciting since it is within our grasp to learn more.

Perceptions are changing about our place in the universe and how important we really are in the really, really big picture. Our own identities, however, should not be shaken by these new findings just because our place is shifting a little bit... or should it? Sometimes it's hard to FACE the kinds of change science brings.