Mars Orbiter Detects Possible Signs of Subsurface Water
The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled images of a "salty purple mermaid" on Mars, captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) during a 2022 flyby. The feature, located in a dried-up riverbed in the southern hemisphere region known as Terra Sirenum, was identified as chloride salt deposits by the orbiter's Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS). These deposits suggest that Mars once had abundant water, which has since evaporated due to the planet's lack of a magnetic field and atmospheric erosion.
The discovery of these salt deposits provides significant clues about Mars' watery past and raises the possibility of ancient Martian life. Such areas could be of particular interest for future exploratory missions seeking to understand the planet's history and potential for supporting life. Meanwhile, separate research has indicated that Mars may also contain substantial underground water reserves, with seismic data from NASA's InSight lander suggesting water trapped in tiny cracks and pores in the Martian crust, potentially forming a global ocean beneath the surface. However, accessing this water for future colonization would present considerable challenges.
