On Thursday, the Phoenix lander has not only found water on the little red planet known as Mars, but has also found oil — a substance particularly important in today’s society.

“They have discovered water on Mars for the third or fourth time,” one senior Mars scientist joked. These new MECA results are, according to the Phoenix team, a little more complex than the water “discovery.”

Off-shore drilling? How about off-planet drilling — it sounds more compelling. 

This new substance, found on Mars, is being kept under wraps until a “further” investigation can determine the type of substance — Here’s a hint: IT’S OIL!

They have also made the decision to discuss the results with the Bush Administration’s Presidential Science Advisor’s office before a press conference between mid-August and early September. [Universe Today]

Stay tuned. Very soon we will be digging for oil on Mars.