Mars' Red Dust: A Wetter History Than We Thought
2025-02-25
New research combining data from ESA and NASA spacecraft with lab experiments reveals that Mars' iconic red dust has a much wetter history than previously believed. Scientists found that the red color, caused by rusted iron minerals, formed early in Mars' history when liquid water was more abundant. This challenges previous assumptions and suggests Mars rusted earlier than thought, implying a longer period with surface water—a crucial factor in the search for past life on the planet.