Chinese rover discovers evidence of water on Mars

The Martian atmosphere was once warmer and wetter than it is today. There is also evidence that the Red Planet hosted liquid water. It is assumed thatn Much of this water dried up over time as the atmosphere slowly eroded. The rest is in the form of Permafrost or Gletschereis deposited in the polar regions.

New data of the Chinese Zhurong-Rovers suggest that liquid water may have existed on the surface of Mars much later than previously thought – and may also be found at lower latitudes. According to a study by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) the rover observed saline dunes in a southern part of the region Utopia Planitia. The surface characteristics and composition of the dunes were examined.

These are characteristic of the northern hemisphere of Mars and are caused by strong winds. The NASA has them using the HiRISE-Kamera photographed.

Participation of liquid salt water

According to the results, the surface consists of crusts, cracks and aggregates and is rich in, among other things hydrated sulfates and silicon oxide. “From the meteorological data measured by Zhurong and other Mars rovers, we concluded that these dune surface features are related to the involvement of liquid saline water created by the subsequent melting of frost/snow that falls on the saline dune surfaces as they cool,” explain the researchers.

The team estimates that these properties are before 1.4 million to 400,000 years have arisen. “This discovery sheds light on the wetter conditions of the modern Martian climate and provides crucial clues for future exploration missions looking for signs of life, particularly at low latitudes with comparatively warmer, more comfortable surface temperatures,” it says.

Nevertheless, the researchers point out in their study that the modern hydroclimatic conditions on Mars are still puzzling, as the explanations for the images of the observed landforms are not clear.