Recent research reveals that Mars’ iconic reddish dust has a more complex history than previously thought, suggesting that the planet rusted earlier in its history when liquid water was more abundant. This conclusion comes from new laboratory experiments and data from ESA and NASA spacecraft, indicating that the iron oxide responsible for Mars’ color is not just hematite formed in dry conditions, as previously believed, but also includes water-containing ferrihydrite.
Ferrihydrite forms quickly in cold water, pointing to Mars having wet conditions in the past, in contrast to earlier studies that found no signs of water in Martian dust. Recent analyses utilized spacecraft data alongside lab-created samples that matched Martian minerals closely, revealing ferrihydrite as the best match. This study highlights that even areas of enormous dust contain water-rich minerals, supporting the theory of a once-wet Mars.
The findings, which underscore the importance of upcoming Mars missions—including ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Rover and NASA’s sample return efforts—promise to deepen our understanding of Mars’ potential for supporting life. This research was published in Nature Communications and significantly alters the perspective on Mars’ environmental history.
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