Research, Technology

Created the most detailed map of Mars, indicating the places where there used to be water

Today Mars is a deserta planet that is clearly not designed for a comfortable life. But once upon a time, it was completely different - it had an atmosphere, and liquid water flowed on the surface. Until recently, scientists were aware of thousands of places that were covered by seas and oceans. This, at least, was evidenced by clay deposits, which are formed during prolonged interaction with water. Scientists recently combined data collected by the Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and created a map with hundreds of thousands places with signs of the presence of water - it turns out thatMars was a more watery planet than previously thought. The found areas are covered not only with clay, but also with other minerals that are formed in the presence of water. Everyone should look at this map - it can help reveal many of the secrets of Mars.

Scientists have created a map showing that Mars was full of water

Map of Mars with water surface

A detailed map of the Martian regions in whichwater flowed billions of years ago, was created thanks to data collected by the Mars Express and MRO orbital stations. Both research vehicles are equipped with spectrometers that analyze the composition of the Martian surface, focusing on the characteristics of the light reflected from them. Judging by the map, there are not so many places on the Red Planet that have not been changed under the influence of water - at different periods of time, liquid water was available in almost all areas.

The Mars Express station was created by the European Space Agency

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter station was created by NASA

Earlier on that in certain areas of Marsthere was water, hinted clay. Many clay samples have been found using the Curiosity spacecraft and other rovers. However, when exposed to water, many other minerals are formed, some of which have also been found on the planet. For example, orbital stations found minerals on the surface vermiculites, smectites and chlorites - usually they are formed when water reacts with iron or magnesium. There is also a white colored clay known as kaolin and is formed as a result of prolonged contact of water with aluminum.

Curiosity Rover

Taking this into account, scientists have identified hundreds of thousands of places where there could be water, and created a detailed map.

New global map of water minerals on Mars

Researchers are also interested in whether there waswater on Mars is constant, or it appeared only from time to time. Initially, it seemed that the new map could do little to help scientists find the answer to this question. However, planetary scientist Lucie Riu noted that if they could calculate more accurately the amount of water available in each area, they could learn more details about the movements of water flows and their stability.

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Most of all, the created map is useful forplanning future missions. Whatever they are, with or without a human crew, the data obtained will allow us to understand which areas of Mars should be studied first. In places where there used to be the most water, there may be hidden sources that can be used during the construction of Martian stations (and NASA has such plans). In addition, living organisms, or at least their remains, can be preserved in such areas - after all, we want to make sure that we are not alone in the Universe?

New map will help scientists make a smarter plan for a mission to Mars

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The first flights of people to Mars will obviously be veryhard. According to experts, at first the astronauts will be forced to undergo very difficult training, because they will have to visit extremely extreme conditions. Also, mission leaders will have to deliver about 25 tons of food supplies to Mars in advance. After descending to the planet, the muscles of people will certainly be greatly weakened and at first they will not be able to walk on their feet - they will have to move around in a sealed all-terrain vehicle. You can read about how the first flights of people to Mars will go in this material.