NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has captured an unusual photo of frozen “kidney beans” on Mars’ sand dunes, which could help scientists determine if the planet ever had enough water to sustain life. The images show a layer of carbon dioxide frost covering the dunes during winter, preventing wind from scooping up sand and causing them to migrate.
The discovery is significant because it suggests that Mars may have had stable liquid water in the past, which could have supported microbial life. Scientists believe that the amount of carbon dioxide on Mars varies depending on its tilt relative to the sun, which drastically changes the planet’s seasons.
By studying how the frost changes with the seasons, researchers can gain insights into the past climate and make predictions about future conditions. This research could potentially reveal more details about Mars’ shifting climate and the possibility of microbial life existing on the planet in the past or present.
The findings have sparked excitement among scientists, who see these “kidney beans” as a potential clue to understanding the Red Planet’s history. Further research is needed to determine if there were indeed periods of time when the climate supported stable liquid water and potentially even life on Mars.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/mars/giant-kidney-beans-spotted-in-mars-satellite-images-could-point-to-signs-of-water-and-life