[ad_1]
The presence of water on Earth’s neighbor Mars is not a foreign concept. For decades, astronomers have talked about the presence of water on the Red Planet without any evidence. However, a recent study by an international team has revealed that the fourth planet in the solar system from the Sun may have retained more water for longer periods than previously thought.
As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Curiosity rover begins exploring a new region of Mars, the Geddes Wallis Channel – which appears to have been formed by an ancient river – it is more about could reveal that liquid water had disappeared once and for all. From the surface of the Red Planet.
The rover team is focusing on the Geddes Vallis Channel and looking for evidence that will confirm how the channel was carved into the underlying bedrock. The structure’s sides are so steep that the team doesn’t think the channel was created by wind.
The purpose of the rover’s journey through this area is to trace the process of formation of the Geddes Vallis Channel – whether debris flows (rapid, wet landslides) or a river carrying rock and sediment could have formed the bedrock. Scientists are also keen to find out whether the debris was caused by a water or dry avalanche.
Since 2014, Curiosity has been climbing to the foothills of Mount Sharp above the floor of Gale Crater to assess Martian climate change. Studying the layers formed over millions of years at the base of Mount Sharp may give scientists clues about how the presence of both water and chemical elements essential to life changed over time. These layers provide a chronological record of Mars’ environmental changes, which is important for understanding the potential for past life.
“If the channel or debris pile is made of liquid water, that’s really interesting. “This would mean that quite late in the story of Mount Sharp – after a long dry period – water came back, and on a large scale,” said Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. he said.
Last year, Curiosity made a challenging climb to study the ridge, which straddles the slopes of Mount Sharp and appears to rise from the end of the channel, suggesting that the two are part of the same geologic system.
This Curiosity exploration contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Mars has experienced water in phases, including periods of aridity with significant water intervals. Discoveries such as clay cracks, remnants of shallow lakes, and giant debris flows highlight the complexity of Mars’ hydrologic past.
Unlock a world of benefits! From informative newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and personalized newsfeeds – it’s all here, just a click away! log in now!
Catch all business news, market news, breaking news events and latest news updates on Live Mint. Download Mint News app to get daily market updates.
more less
Published: 01 April 2024, 11:17 PM IST
[ad_2]
