Scientists May Have Finally Solved The Mystery Behind Mars’ Red Color
ForbesFEB 26
Researchers from Brown University and the University of Bern have identified ferrihydrite, a water-rich iron mineral, as the primary cause of Mars' distinctive red color. This challenges the previous theory that attributed the color to hematite.
The research team created synthetic Martian dust in laboratory conditions by grinding minerals to particles approximately 1/100th the width of a human hair, precisely matching the size of actual Martian dust particles.
The scientists also analyzed data from multiple Mars missions, combining observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the European Space Agency's Mars Express and Trace Gas Orbiter with ground-level measurements from Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Opportunity rovers.
The presence of ferrihydrite in Mars' dust provides compelling evidence that the planet once had abundant liquid water and potentially habitable conditions. The mineral's formation requires specific environmental conditions, including cool temperatures and liquid water, suggesting Mars had a more hospitable past than previously understood.
The traditional view that Mars' red color comes from hematite formed under dry conditions through slow chemical weathering processes better aligns with the planet's current state. This explanation doesn't require assuming the existence of past wet conditions and fits with the current understanding of Mars as a cold, dry world.