Mars becomes habitable twice a day
New research suggests that liquid brines, which could potentially support life, form twice a day on Mars. This conclusion was reached by Vincent F. Chevrier from the University of Arkansas, who published the results of a multi-year study in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment.
The Science Behind the Discovery
Chevrier analyzed meteorological data from the Viking 2 lander's touchdown site and used computer modeling to determine the conditions under which liquid water could emerge from melting frost. A key element in this process is calcium perchlorate salts, which are able to keep water in a liquid state at low temperatures.
According to the calculations, these brines form twice a day—in the early morning and late evening—during the end of the Martian winter and the beginning of spring. This season lasts for about one Martian month (approximately two Earth months) and recurs annually. Although the volume of liquid water is extremely small during these periods, its presence could be highly significant for future research and for planning crewed missions.
Implications for Future Missions
Chevrier notes that even these short-lived liquid environments can leave behind chemical and geomorphological traces on the surface, which could be discovered during future expeditions. Moreover, these findings challenge the long-held belief that Mars is completely dry and expand the range of locations where scientists can potentially search for signs of microbial life.
ORIENT
