Scientists have long been puzzled about why Mars, despite its rocky composition similar to Earth’s, ended up as a frozen desert instead of thriving with life. A new study published in Nature has shed light on this mystery, suggesting that Mars experienced temporary warm periods triggered by gradual increases in the sun’s brightness, followed by self-regulation as a desert planet.
The study, led by Edwin Kite from the University of Chicago, builds on previous findings from NASA’s Curiosity mission, which discovered rocks rich in carbonate minerals. These minerals could explain where Mars’ atmosphere went, leaving behind a puzzle of why the planet is so inhospitable today.
According to the researchers, Mars’ unique conditions mean that even brief periods of liquid water trigger carbon dioxide to get locked into rocks, swinging the planet back to cold and barren desert. This self-limiting cycle suggests that Mars experiences short periods of habitability followed by 100-million-year-long periods of desert, making it difficult for life to thrive.
The study’s findings are based on extensive models showing how these swings could happen. The researchers believe that a similar balance between carbon dioxide in and out might be necessary for planets like Earth to remain habitable over time.
While the explanation is not new, the discovery of carbonate-rich rocks by Curiosity has provided crucial evidence for this theory. The study highlights the importance of continued exploration and research into Mars’ history, which could provide valuable insights for searching for other hospitable worlds in the universe.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/what-happened-to-mars-water-a-new-study-offers-a-startling-answer