Mars rover finds red planet once had an ocean with sandy beaches

A co-author of the research believes 'it would be a great place to send a follow-up mission looking for signs of past life'

A hypothetical picture of Mars 3.6 billion years ago when an ocean may have covered nearly half the planet. Illustration: Robert Citron/Reuters

Mars may not seem like a prime holiday spot with its arid landscape and punishing radiation levels, but it once boasted beaches, researchers have found.

While previous discoveries of features including valley networks and sedimentary rocks have suggested the red planet once had flowing rivers, there has been debate among scientists over whether it also had oceans.