Why Is Mars Red?

A recent study has a potential answer to the reason behind Mars’s Red Colour.

Key Highlights of the Study

The study aims to understand the ancient Martian climate, the chemical processes on Mars (ancient and present) and the habitability question.
Published In: ‘Journal Nature Communications’
Conducted By: The Research is a coordinated effort between NASA’s (Strategic Science of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center) and its international partners.
Method: Data was analyzed from combining,
- Orbital observations: From instruments on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ESA’s Mars Express and Trace Gas Orbiter
- Ground Level Measurements: From NASA rovers like Curiosity, Sojourner, and Opportunity.
- Simulated Lab Experiments: The results were compared lab experiments testing how light interacts with ferrihydrite particles and other minerals under simulated Martian conditions.

Mars Red

Key Findings of the Study

The presence of water-rich iron mineral ferrihydrite in Martian Dust has been found to give Mars its red colour.
- Ferrihydrite was found everywhere in the Martian dust and also probably in the rock formations, as well.
Martian winds spread this dust everywhere creating the planet’s iconic red appearance.

Significance

Water Rich Mars: Ferrihydrite can form in the presence of cool water at lower temperatures, thus providing evidence that Mars was once water rich.
- Ferrihydrite can only form in conditions where oxygen from air or other sources and water can react with iron
Principles of Mineral Formation: The study gives us a better chance to apply principles of mineral formation and conditions to tap back in time.
Space Research: It underlines the significance of coordinated research to explore fundamental questions about our solar system and the future of space exploration.

About Red Planet: Mars

Mars is one of the most explored planets in our solar system, known for its past wetter and warmer climate.
- NASA has sent multiple rovers such as Perseverance , Spirit and Opportunity to study its surface.
Potential for Life: Scientists seek evidence of past life when Mars had water, but no current life is expected.
Size and Distance:
- Radius: 3,390 km (2,106 mi) (about half of Earth’s size).
- Distance from the Sun: 228 million km (142 million mi), or 1.5 AU.
- Sunlight takes 13 minutes to reach Mars.
Orbit and Rotation:
- One Martian day (Sol) = 24.6 hours.
- One Martian year = 687 Earth days (669.6 Sols).
- Mars has seasons, but they last longer due to its elliptical orbit.
Moons: Two small, irregularly shaped moons, Phobos and Deimos, likely captured asteroids.
- Phobos may break apart in 50 million years.
Rings: Mars currently has no rings but may develop one if Phobos disintegrates.
Formation and Structure:
- Formed 4.5 billion years ago from gas and dust.
- Has an iron-nickel-sulfur core, a rocky mantle, and a solid crust.
Surface Features:
- Mars appears red due to iron oxidation but has brown, gold, and tan hues.
- Valles Marineris: A 3,000-mile-long canyon system, 10x larger than the Grand Canyon.
- Olympus Mons: The largest volcano in the solar system, 3x taller than Mt. Everest.
- Evidence of ancient rivers, lakes, and massive floods.
Atmosphere:
- Thin, mostly CO₂, nitrogen, and argon.
- Extreme temperatures: 20°C (70°F) to -153°C (-225°F).
- Frequent dust storms that last for months.
Magnetosphere: No global magnetic field, but remnants suggest a past magnetic field 4 billion years ago.

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