Scientists have identified the mineral on Mars responsible for its distinctive red color, which could provide evidence of liquid water in the planet’s past. Ferrihydrite, an “iron oxide mineral,” appears reddish in color and can form in water-rich environments. The international team led by Brown University found widespread ferrihydrite deposits across wide areas of Mars.
The research is based on Martian data collected by several spacecraft, including NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the European Space Agency’s Mars Express and Trace Gas orbiters. Scientists have long wondered about the substance behind Mars’ deep red hue, with past studies suggesting hematite might be to blame.
Ferrihydrite has never been proven as a possible reason for Mars’ coloring before, but researchers say their new findings using observational data and laboratory methods have confirmed it. The discovery suggests that Mars once held liquid water, making it possible for the planet to support life.
While the findings are exciting, further study is needed to confirm them. “As exciting as the new findings are, we realize that our results can only be verified by samples from Mars,” said John Mustard, a planetary expert at Brown University. NASA’s Perseverance rover currently collects samples from Mars, which will help verify or disprove the team’s theory about ferrihydrite.
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