Water may be more widespread and recent on Mars than previously thought, based on observations of Martian sand dunes by China's rover.
The finding highlights new, potentially fertile areas in the warmer regions of Mars where conditions might be suitable for life to exist, though more study is needed.Friday's news comes days after mission leaders acknowledged that the Zhurong rover has yet to wake up since going into hibernation for the Martian winter nearly a year ago.
Their estimated date range for when the cracks and other dune features formed in Mars' Utopia Planitia, a vast plain in the northern hemisphere: sometime after 1.4 million to 400,000 years ago or even younger. "We think it could be a small amount ... no more than a film of water on the surface," co-author Xiaoguang Qin of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics said in an email.
Martian frost has been observed since NASA's 1970s Viking missions, but these light dustings of morning frost were thought to occur in certain locations under specific conditions.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China’s Rover May Have Found Hints of Water on Mars DunesChina’s Zhurong Mars rover has seen better days, but it did make a groundbreaking discovery.
Read more »
China's Mars rover finds signs of recent water in sand dunesWater may be more widespread and recent on Mars than previously thought, based on observations of Martian sand dunes by China's rover.
Read more »
China's Zhurong Mars rover finds signs of recent water activity on Red PlanetMartian water played a major role in creating intriguing surface features on miniature sand dunes, scientists say.
Read more »
How Long Mark Watney Was On Mars In The MartianHere’s how much time Mark Watney, Matt Damon’s character in The Martian (2015), spent on Mars, and why it took so long for him to be rescued.
Read more »
Rover Spots Possible Evidence of Liquid Water on Modern MarsHydrated dunes suggest water can persist on some parts of the Martian surface, according to data from China's troubled Zhurong rover.
Read more »
China finally admits its hibernating Mars rover may never wake upThe Zhurong Mars rover never woke up from a planned hibernation, and the head of the mission team has now revealed why.
Read more »