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1947- Observations by the Lowell Observatory in Arizona using a new spectrographic telescope reveal the presence of oxygen on Mars during a transit of the Sun.

July 14, 1965- "Mariner-IV", the second attempt at a fly-by survey of the planet Mars flies within 10,000 kilometers of the planet. It reveals a planet much as hypothesized-- desert, but covered with some rudiamentary plant life and indications of rivulets even possible small lakes.

27 November 1971- "Mars-2", a Soviet Mars probe crashes on the surface of the planet, when a parachute fails to deploy. It does however become the first human object to land on the Red Planet.

20 July 1976- In conjunction with the American Bicentennial, "Viking-1" lands on the Utopia Planetia plains of Mars, sending back the first surface photos of Mars. They show lichen-like plant growth over an arid region plain. It is highly remininscent of the American Southwest. Temperatures at the landing site are cool (12-20 F.), but not severe. "Viking" takes soil samples, analyzes them, and determines that the soil of Mars is teeming with microscopic life and is fertile, if less so than Earth.