The history of water on Mars is an interesting mystery not only to planetary scientists but also to the general public. The Red Planet currently has water in the form of ice at its poles, trace amounts of gas in its atmosphere, and an unknown amount of groundwater below the surface bound to minerals and ice. However, there is strong evidence that ancient Mars may have had long-lived streams, rivers, and lakes. There is still much to learn about what Mars was like and how it has changed over time. One approach is to examine water inventories at different points in time. This time, NASA's Perseverance spacecraft discovered hydrated magnesium sulfate (similar to Epsom salts) and dehydrated magnesium sulfate (similar to Epsom salts) formed by water flowing through cracks in the volcanic rock at the floor of the 3.8 billion-year-old Jezero Crater. Discovered calcium sulfate. These hydrated minerals trap water inside and record the history of when and how they were formed. Returning samples of these minerals to Earth will allow researchers to examine Mars' water and climate history, and perhaps evidence of ancient life, using the most sensitive instruments possible.
Planetary scientists believe that Mars may once have had long-lived rivers, lakes, and streams.
Currently, water on Mars exists in polar ice and is trapped beneath the planet's surface.
In a new study, Dr. Andy Zaja and his colleagues at the University of Cincinnati show that the hydrothermal system based on hydrated magnesium sulfate that the rover identified in volcanic rocks may have existed on this planet. revealed.
“When these rocks cool and break down, they become habitable for life,” Dr Chaya said.
“We have yet to find conclusive evidence of life in these deposits. But if fossil microbes were trapped within the rocks, they would be too small to be seen by spacecraft. ”
“These hydrated minerals trap water inside and record the history of how and when they formed.”
“Bringing samples of these minerals back to Earth will allow researchers to examine Mars' water and climate history, and possibly evidence of ancient life, using the most sensitive instruments possible.”
Perseverance began a systematic exploration from the bottom of the crater to the front of a delta formed by ancient rivers and drainage channels. There he encountered sedimentary rocks containing trapped minerals and another avenue for evidence of ancient life.
And last year, the rover reached the rim of the crater, once a huge lake, and is investigating deposits of magnesium carbonate, which can be formed geologically or biologically from bacteria.
“The decision to send Perseverance to Jezero Crater appears to be paying off,” Dr. Zaja said.
“There were other places I could have gone that could have been just as good.”
“We won't know until we investigate everything. But there was a good reason why Jezero was chosen, and it was completely justified.”
Next, the rover will leave Jezero Crater and explore a larger area.
“We are likely to find rocks that are more than 4 billion years old,” Dr. Zaya said.
“And Mars may have stromatolites and rocks that contain evidence of ancient layered bacterial mats that are visible to the naked eye.”
“On Earth, these rocks can be found in extreme environments such as geyser basins.”
“We hope Perseverance whets our appetite for further exploration of Mars.”
“And once we bring the samples back, we'll be able to study Mars for years to come with instruments that haven't been invented yet, looking for evidence of ancient life.”
of result ” Published in the January 2024 issue. Geophysical Research Journal: Planets.
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Sandra Siljestrom other. Evidence of alteration of sulfate-rich fluids at the floor of Jezero Crater on Mars. JGR: Planet 129 (1): e2023JE007989; doi: 10.1029/2023JE00798
Source: www.sci.news
