The proof that Mars was habitable has arrived. These are not the remains of life forms, but of Great deposits of carbonatesthat is, of the minerals produced by CO2 present in the ancient atmosphere of the planet, when it was still hot and full of oceans. Carbonate deposits show that in the past On Mars the carbon cyclethat is, the process of carbon exchange between atmosphere, oceans and soilfundamental for the life.
The discovery is published in the magazine Science, who dedicates the cover to her, and was coordinated by the Canadian University of Calgary University led by Benjamin Tutolo. “It’s one surprising and important turning point“, Tutolo observes, why”He tells us that the planet was habitable“.
To find the deposits was the Rover curiosity of NASA, who since 2012 is exploring one of the most fascinating places on the planet, the Gale craterwhich is believed to be occupied in the past by a large lake.
Thanks to the research conducted so far on Mars by the rover and satellites we know that the planet has had anatmosphere denser than the current one And rivers and seas on the surface. So far, but only a few quantities of carbonates had been found on the Martian surface. After years of sampling, Curiosities sent the data that have been chasing for years and indicating that there are on Mars there are deposits of siderite (iron carbonate) in high concentrations within layers rich in magnesium sulphate.
The data was one Surprise for researchers Because the measures made by the satellites in the Marzian orbit had never detected the presents of carbonates in that area. The authors of the research therefore believe that the Siderite was formed following reactions between water and rock and evaporation processes, indicating that the CO2 of the atmosphere has been captured in sedimentary rocks. The latter thus became what the researchers call “a Great archive of the ancient atmosphere of Mars“.
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I am a journalist with over 6 years of experience working in the news industry. I currently work as an author for Global Happenings, and my coverage focuses on Technology news. I have written for various publications, including Reuters, The New York Times and The Guardian.
