Tianwen-1: Zhurong rover finds evidence of water at low latitudes on modern Mars

[Jessica-stormlover]

Tianwen-1: Zhurong rover finds evidence of water at low latitudes on modern Mars​

by Chinese Academy of Sciences

Tianwen-1: Zhurong rover finds evidence of water at low latitudes on modern Mars

The Zhurong rover has found evidence of water on dune surfaces on modern Mars by providing key observational proof of liquid water at low Martian latitudes, according to a study led by Prof. Qin Xiaoguang from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (IGG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

phys.org

Researchers from the National Astronomical Observatories of CAS and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of CAS were also involved in the study. The study was published in Science Advances on April 28.

Previous studies have provided proof of a large amount of liquid water on early Mars, but with the escape of the early Martian atmosphere during the later period, the climate changed dramatically. Very low pressure and water vapor content make it difficult for liquid water to sustainably exist on Mars today. Thus, it has been widely believed that water can only exist there in solid or gaseous forms.

Nonetheless, droplets observed on the Phoenix's robotic arm prove that salty liquid water can appear in the summer at current high latitudes on Mars. Numerical simulations have also shown that climatic conditions suitable for liquid water can briefly occur in certain areas of Mars today. Until now, though, no evidence has shown the presence of liquid water at low latitudes on Mars.

Way cool! This makes it easier to build a base or even a city on mars.

 

[ReinyDays]

Why did we think there was no liquid water there? ...