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Discovery About The Color Of Mars Reveals Clues That May Prove The Existence Of Life On The Planet, Challenging Established Scientific Certainties
A study published in Nature Communications brings new information about the Red Planet. The research suggests that Mars has not always had its reddish color and that water may have been responsible for this change.
Not Always Red
Mars is known as the Red Planet, but according to research led by Adomas Valantinas from Brown University, it may have been gray in the past.
This discovery came from the analysis of Martian dust, made with data collected by instruments from the European Space Agency (ESA) — Mars Express Orbiter and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter — and from NASA — Reconnaissance Orbiter and the rovers Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Opportunity.
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Researchers concluded that Mars has “rusted” over time. Just as it happens on Earth, the iron present on its surface may have reacted with water over millions of years, resulting in the reddish color we see today.
Water And The Color Of The Red Planet
This theory contradicts the most accepted explanation until now, which said that Mars’ redness was not related to water.
According to Valantinas, the environmental chemical process in the planet’s atmosphere is similar to that of a piece of oxidized iron after being exposed to water for a long time.
If this hypothesis is confirmed, it could completely change the understanding of Mars’ geological history. This is because the discovery suggests that water was more abundant than previously thought, directly influencing the planet’s surface formation.
Water On Mars May Mean Life
The relationship between water and life is evident. However, the team of investigators warns that the discovery cannot be considered proof of the existence of life on Mars.
On the other hand, Valantinas highlights that this water-rich rust covers a large part of the planet. This indicates that, in the past, liquid water may have been more common than previously thought. And liquid water, as is known, is an essential factor for the existence of life.
Additionally, the study indicates that the formation of ferrihydrite — a hydrated iron oxide — on Mars would only be possible with the presence of oxygen and water. This suggests that the planet may have had, at some point, an environment with oxygen, something essential for many forms of life on Earth.
The Next Step: Collect Samples
Despite the discoveries, it is still not possible to confirm these hypotheses without further analysis. The samples collected over the years by spacecraft will be essential to test these theories and better understand the planet’s history.
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