For decades, scientists have puzzled over how liquid water could exist on ancient Mars. New research suggests that the Red Planet’s temperatures fluctuated between hot and cold periods around 4 to 3 billion years ago. These temperature swings may have made life impossible due to a lack of oxygen and extreme conditions.
A team of researchers at Harvard University has discovered that Mars’ atmosphere was warmer during certain periods, thanks to an excess of hydrogen in the air. However, this element should have been short-lived, prompting scientists to simulate its behavior. The results showed that Mars experienced episodic warm periods lasting at least 100,000 years.
During these warm periods, Mars lost water from its atmosphere to the ground, refilling the hydrogen content and sustaining a greenhouse effect. This process would have led to a build-up of carbon monoxide and oxygen, making it challenging for life to thrive. The team’s findings also suggest that temperatures dropped during cold periods, allowing carbon dioxide to recycle into carbon monoxide.
The existence of life on ancient Mars remains uncertain due to these extreme conditions. However, the study provides valuable insights into how planets can evolve over time. In the future, researchers plan to compare their models with actual rock and soil samples from Mars to further understand its past climate.
While scientists are still searching for answers about life on Mars, this study offers a new perspective on the planet’s ancient temperatures and atmosphere.
Source: https://www.space.com/ancient-mars-hot-cold-climate-hydrogen