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Scientists from the European Space Agency found on Marcy a unique giant "smile" that was formed from salt deposits. It can shed light on the planet's past. He writes TSN It is reported Contracts.UA.
RegioNews reports about it Geo News.
Scientists have recorded a "smile" on Mars, which may be the remains of the last forms of life on the Red Planet.
Researchers have long known that billions of years ago there were rivers and lakes on Mars, which disappeared due to catastrophic cooling. And a salt deposit found on the planet may turn out to be not only the remains of ancient life, but also a shelter for hardy microbes.
The "smiley" picture was taken by ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which is searching for signs of life on Mars. The image shows the deposition of chloride salt on the arid surface of the planet. Analysis of these deposits can shed light on the ancient climate, geology and potential population of Mars.
“Once a world of rivers, lakes and possibly oceans, Mars now shows us chloride salt deposits, discovered by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. Such deposits may indicate inhabited areas that existed billions of years ago. The discovery also provides insight into the climate of Mars," the ESA said in a statement.
According to scientists, the cold era on Mars began when the planet lost its magnetic field and could no longer maintain an atmosphere.
After that, most of the atmosphere on Mars evaporated. This is exactly what happened to the water on the surface of the planet: it either evaporated or turned into ice.
At the same time, researchers suggest that very salty waters could have become a refuge for the last forms of life on Mars. After all, the high concentration of salt allows water to remain in a liquid state down to -40 degrees Celsius.
