2023-05-01 09:40:00
China’s Mars rover Shurong has revealed key observational evidence of liquid water at the planet’s low latitudes, the warmest regions on the Red Planet.
A team of more than 20 researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences used data obtained by cameras and detectors on board the rover to study the surface features of various scales and physical compositions of the sand dunes in the landing area.
The team found some important morphological features on the dune surfaces, such as scales, cracks, grains, polygonal edges, and a ribbon-like effect.
The results of the data analysis showed that the surface layer of the sand dunes is rich in minerals, including hydrated sulphate, hydrated silica and freihydrate.
The researchers estimated that the sand dunes that were found by the vehicle were formed from regarding 400 thousand years to 1.4 million years ago, and the exchange of water vapor between high and low latitudes during this period led to the recurrence of moist environments at low latitudes of Mars, and then the recurrence of salt water when Temperatures are dropping in the area.
The researchers said: “This study provides information for designing future exploration strategies for Mars rovers, given that salty water was previously present at different latitudes on the surface of this planet, so salt-tolerant microbes should be prioritized in future missions searching for life on Mars.” .
Chen Xiaoguang, principal investigator from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the academy, said: “According to the meteorological data measured by the Zurong rover and other Mars rover, we concluded that the surface properties of the sand dunes are related to the liquid salt water generated by the subsequent melting of frost and snow falling on the surfaces of sand dunes. Salt dunes when cooling occurs.
“The salts in the sand dunes cause frost and snow to melt at low temperatures to form salty liquid water, and when the salt water dries up, the precipitated hydrated minerals bind the sand particles to form pebbles and crusts, and then the crusts crack further by shrinkage,” Guang added.
He explained that this discovery provides key evidence for the existence of liquid water in the low-latitude regions of Mars, where surface temperatures are relatively warm and more suitable for life than at high latitudes.
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