News from space: This is how Mars received its rust -red color!

News from space: This is how Mars received its rust -red color!

Mars, Planet - the Mars, often referred to as the "red planet", is now viewed in a new light. An international research team has recently published new knowledge about the composition of the Marsboden in the “Nature Communications” journal. So far, the rust -red color of the planet has mostly been attributed to the mineral of hematite. However, the latest analyzes indicate that Ferrihydrit, a mineral iron oxide, is dominant. This mineral differs from its reddish shade and the water it contains from hematite.

ferrihydrit, which was created in the early history of Mars under cool, moist conditions, indicates that the planet was once covered with liquid water. The researchers were able to prove this by using Mars dust in the laboratory and using existing data from Mars room probes and rods. The results show that Ferrihydrit quickly forms in the presence of water and are both oxygen and water necessary for its creation. In contrast to today's conditions, these requirements for the environment are on Mars.

Details about the Rover "Perseverance"

In order to gain further knowledge, rock samples of the US rover "Perseverance" are decisive. This rover, which started on July 30, 2020 and landed on Mars on February 18, 2021, is equipped with a special knowledge and technological tools to collect and store samples. Compared to its predecessor model, the curiosity rover, Perseverance has a larger drilling device and science instruments that serve to analyze the surface of the marso

The samples collected during the mission are stored in stable tubes directly on the Martian surface, so that they can later be brought back to earth, which is planned for the 2030s. These trial-based analyzes promise comprehensive information about the geology of Mars and its former water activity.

A look at the Mars missions

The Mars missions have a long story that goes back to the 1960s. The first missions, such as Marsnik 1 and Marsnik 2, still had to fight with many technical difficulties and could not achieve their goals. Over time, NASA gained expertise, as the successful implementation of the Mariner and Viking programs in the 1970s shows.

A striking progress was the provision of the first artificial satellite in Marsa Railway, Mariner 9, which was started in May 1971. Recent missions such as "Curiosity" and "Insight" have significantly expanded our knowledge of Mars. According to current plans, numerous new missions are planned, including the International Mars Ice Mapper, which aims to examine ice deposits on Mars.

Overall, the latest knowledge and technological advances show how fascinating and complex the Mars and its history are. The further research of this environment could not only illuminate the geology of the planet, but also provide important indications of the possibility of past life.

For more information about the Mineral Ferrihydrit and the Mars missions, read the articles from Süddeutsche , nasa and the comprehensive chronology of the Mars missions on Wikipedia .