Mars’ Fate Linked to Sun’s Sudden Increase in Brightness

NASA’s Curiosity rover has made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on why Mars is a dry, lifeless desert despite its similarities to Earth. Researchers led by Edwin Kite found carbonate minerals in Gale Crater, which suggest that the planet was doomed from the beginning. The discovery points to a process triggered by the Sun’s slow increase in brightness over billions of years. As the Sun’s heat warmed Mars, water and carbon dioxide were absorbed into carbonates, leading to a cooling effect.

However, Mars’ lack of volcanic activity meant the carbon dioxide wasn’t replenished, triggering a feedback loop that bled off more atmosphere. This self-regulating process led to Mars becoming a desert planet. The study, published in Nature, suggests that habitability on Mars was rare and short-lived, leaving Earth as the only known haven for life.

Source: https://newatlas.com/space/dead-mars-inevitable-sun-blame