This was reported by Xinhua citing the results of a study by Chinese scientists published in the journal Science Advances, Ukrinform reports.

Previous studies have found evidence of abundant liquid water on early Mars, but severe climate change has made it difficult for liquid water to exist on the planet today. Scientists believe that water can now only exist there in solid or gaseous form.

But the drops observed on NASA’s Phoenix Mars rover robot arm prove that salty liquid water can emerge at high latitudes on Mars during the summer months. Numerical simulations also show that in certain regions of Mars, climatic conditions suitable for the appearance of liquid water may briefly occur. However, there is still no evidence of the existence of liquid water in the low latitudes of the planet, where the surface temperature is highest.

Data collected by China’s Zhuzhong navigator fills this gap.

Scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, examining the data obtained by rover cameras and detectors about the surface and material composition of the sand dunes in the landing zone of the device, discovered some important morphological features, such as crust, crack, granulation, polygon. protrusions and a band-like trace. Analysis of the data showed that the surface layer of the dunes is rich in minerals, including hydrated sulfates, hydrated silica, and ferrihydrite.

“Based on the meteorological data measured by Zhuzhong and other rovers, we conclude that these features of the dune surface are due to the action of liquid brine formed as a result of melting frost and snow falling on the salty surface of the dunes. “As it cools,” said Qin Xiaoguang, a researcher from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics. .

As the brine dries, the hydrated precipitated minerals bind the sand particles together, forming sand piles and a crust. The bark then cracks further due to shrinkage. Then, the process is repeated and protrusions and a striped trace are formed on the surface of the shell.

According to Chinese scientists, the dunes found by Zhuzhong were formed about 400,000 to 1.4 million years ago. The exchange of water vapor between higher and lower latitudes during this period led to repeated wet environments on Mars’ lower latitudes, with salty water appearing as temperatures dropped.

According to the Chinese researchers, this discovery is important evidence of the existence of liquid water at low latitudes. Anthemwhere the surface temperature is relatively high and more suitable for life than at high latitudes.

According to scientists, the results obtained should be taken into account when planning new research on Mars. Because salt water was once present at different latitudes on the surface of the Red Planet, future missions to search for life on Mars should prioritize the search for salt-tolerant microbes.

Zhuzhong is known to be part of China’s Tianwen-1 Mars exploration mission. On May 15, 2021, it landed in the low latitude region of Mars, Utopia Planitia, a vast plain in Mars’ northern hemisphere. The rover traveled about 2 kilometers and transmitted a significant amount of data to Earth, after which it went into sleep mode.