Water existed on Mars for a shorter period of time – scientists

Water on Mars probably existed for a shorter period of time

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Today, Mars looks dry and lifeless, even though it once had water on it. But probably for a shorter period of time than previously thought.

Therefore, the probability of the existence of life on Mars is less than previously thought. This is what Lonneke Roelofs, the team leader and planetary researcher at Utrecht University, says about the results of his research.

The study is published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, writes Space.

“This affects our understanding of water on Mars in general, and therefore the search for life on the planet.”– adds Lonneke Roelofs.

He explains that the Martian atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide, which freezes in winter because the temperature drops below -120°C.

Under such conditions, carbon dioxide can immediately turn into ice, passing through the liquid phase. A similar process is observed on Earth, when water vapor forms ice crystals that cover the earth.

The reverse process of “melting” of carbon dioxide also occurs rapidly.

“The process is extremely explosive due to the low atmospheric pressure on Mars. The resulting gas pressure pushes the sediment particles apart, causing the material to flow, similar to the debris flowing in mountainous regions of Earth. These flows can change the Martian landscape – even in the absence of water“, the scientist noted.

Therefore, Roelofs’ team simulated the conditions on Mars in the laboratory and observed the sublimation of ice to carbon dioxide under these conditions.

“Thanks to specialized laboratory equipment, we were able to study this process with our own eyes. Debris streams moving through carbon dioxide ice in Martian conditions flow as efficiently as if they were moving through water on Earth.

Sublimation of frozen carbon dioxide may also serve as a driving force behind the formation of these Martian gully landscapes. This pushes the presence of water on Mars further into the past, reducing the likelihood of life on Mars“, said the head of the study.

It will be recalled that earlier scientists hypothesized that there was probably no oxygen on Mars, but could be life. At the same time, the Red Planet, like Venus, unsuitable for this.