Chinese Rover Uncovers Evidence of Ancient Ocean Shorelines on Mars

Detection of ferrihydrite in Martian red dust records ancient cold and wet conditions on Mars

Iron oxide-hydroxide minerals in Martian dust provide crucial insights into Mars’ past climate and habitability. Previous studies attributed Mars’ red color to anhydrous hematite formed through recent weathering. Here, we show that poorly crystalline ferrihydrite (Fe5O8H · nH2O) is the dominant iron oxide-bearing phase in Martian dust, based on combined analyses of orbital, in-situ, and laboratory visible near-infrared spectra. Spectroscopic ana…

New Research Challenges Theory on Why Mars is Red

Mars’ red dust may have formed in the presence of water. Credit: Kevin M. Gill / CC BY 2.0 For centuries, Mars has been known as the “Red Planet,” but scientists may have just uncovered the true source of its distinctive red color, challenging long-held theories about the planet’s history. New research suggests that Mars’ red dust likely comes from ferrihydrite, a mineral that forms in water, rather than hematite, a dry iron oxide once believed …

Mars has fascinated scientists and the public for centuries. One of the main reasons is its reddish hue, which has made four...

Mars has been red for millions of years longer than we thought

Previous research revealed that Mars' red color is due to rusted iron minerals in the dust.

New evidence suggests that Mars used to have an ocean and sandy beaches

Researchers just discovered evidence to suggest that Mars was once home to oceans and sandy beaches on the red planet, according to data published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This is a far cry from the arid, freezing and radiation-filled conditions of modern Mars. Scientists discovered evidence of buried beaches after they analyzed below-ground imaging data from China’s Zhurong rover. This data from the northern lowla…

By Ashley Strickland, CNN Mars, with its iconic rusty hue, has long been called the Red Planet. Now, scientists may have discovered the potential source of that distinctive coloration, debunking a popular theory in the process. Mars is one of the most studied planets in our solar system because of its proximity to Earth and the numerous spacecraft that have visited it in recent decades. Together, the orbiters and landers have provided scientists…