An ocean of water existed on Mars nearly 3.5 billion years ago, as per the latest finding. China’s Zhurong Mars rover has stumbled upon evidence of an ancient coastline on the red planet.&nbsp;

The findings were reported in the journal Scientific Reports. The rover found the coastline in the southern Utopia region which is a remnant of a sea that likely existed during the early history of Mars for a short period of time.

Scientists have long believed that as much as a third of the Red Planet was covered by an ocean billions of years ago.&nbsp;

The Zhurong rover has been studying the deposits in Vastitas Borealis, a low plain in the planet’s northern hemisphere after landing there in May 2021. This particular region is thought to have harboured an ocean once. The presence of fine grains of minerals like hydrated silica is likely a result of a coastline rather than volcanic activity.

Lead study author Bo Wu of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University told news agency AFP that several features in the area suggest that an ocean once lay around Zhurong's landing area in the past. These features include "pitted cones, polygonal troughs and etched flows". &nbsp;

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As per previous research, crater-like pitted cones could have formed from mud volcanoes in areas where there had been water or ice.

<h2>Features hint at existence of ocean</h2>

Data gathered by the rover, as well as satellites, combined with analysis on Earth, also suggested that a shoreline was once near the area, according to the study.

The researchers believe that the ocean was formed by flooding nearly 3.7 billion years ago. Researchers analysed data from the Zhurong rover and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to estimate surface ages and compositions of minerals found in the southern Utopia Planitia.

The existence of geological features like troughs and sediment channels in this part of the planet hints at an ancient nearshore zone. This is why researchers were forced to believe that the deposits were formed by a possible flooding event about 3.68 billion years ago.&nbsp;

“We conducted a comprehensive geomorphological analysis of the landing area using remote sensing data, supplemented by in situ observations, and unveiled features consistent with the existence of a nearshore zone in southern Utopia,” the researchers say.

However, scientists say that the rover's data does not present direct evidence that an ancient ocean once existed on Mars.

An ocean of water existed on Mars nearly 3.5 billion years ago, as per the latest finding. China’s Zhurong Mars rover has stumbled upon evidence of an ancient coastline on the red planet.

An ocean of water existed on Mars nearly 3.5 billion years ago, as per the latest finding. China’s Zhurong Mars rover has stumbled upon evidence of an ancient coastline on the red planet. The findings were reported in the journal Scientific Reports. The rover found the coastline in the southern Utopia region which is a remnant of a sea that likely existed during the early history of Mars for a short period of time. Scientists have long believed that as much as a third of the Red Planet was covered by an ocean billions of years ago. The Zhurong rover has been studying the deposits in Vastitas Borealis, a low plain in the planet’s northern hemisphere after landing there in May 2021. This particular region is thought to have harboured an ocean once. The presence of fine grains of minerals like hydrated silica is likely a result of a coastline rather than volcanic activity. Lead study author Bo Wu of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University told news agency AFP that several features in the area suggest that an ocean once lay around Zhurong's landing area in the past. These features include "pitted cones, polygonal troughs and etched flows". Also Read: Is Planet Nine lurking in the solar system? We might know in 2025 As per previous research, crater-like pitted cones could have formed from mud volcanoes in areas where there had been water or ice. Features hint at existence of ocean Data gathered by the rover, as well as satellites, combined with analysis on Earth, also suggested that a shoreline was once near the area, according to the study. The researchers believe that the ocean was formed by flooding nearly 3.7 billion years ago. Researchers analysed data from the Zhurong rover and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to estimate surface ages and compositions of minerals found in the southern Utopia Planitia. The existence of geological features like troughs and sediment channels in this part of the planet hints at an ancient nearshore zone. This is why researchers were forced to believe that the deposits were formed by a possible flooding event about 3.68 billion years ago. “We conducted a comprehensive geomorphological analysis of the landing area using remote sensing data, supplemented by in situ observations, and unveiled features consistent with the existence of a nearshore zone in southern Utopia,” the researchers say. However, scientists say that the rover's data does not present direct evidence that an ancient ocean once existed on Mars.

Mars had a large ocean 3.5 billion years ago, Chinese rover finds

Mars has once again stumped humans with yet another fascinating discovery. Latest research shows that the red planet is hiding giant slabs of ice at its equator. This ice runs several kilometres deep and if melted, is enough to cover the entire surface of Mars. The resulting ocean will likely be 1.5 to 2.7 metres (4.9 to 8.9 feet) deep.&nbsp;

The discovery of these slabs of ice has been made at the Medusae Fossae Formation region on the Martian equator, first discovered in 2007. However, at the time scientists didn't know what exactly was it composed of.

The latest discovery once again proves that life probably once existed on the red planet. Earlier, evidence has been found that rivers once flowed on Mars. But this is the first time that such a huge amount of water has been found on the Martian equator.&nbsp;

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"We've explored the Medusae Fossae Formation again using newer data from Mars Express's MARSIS radar, and found the deposits to be even thicker than we thought: up to 3.7 kilometres (2.3 miles) thick," geologist Thomas Watters of the Smithsonian Institution said.

"Excitingly, the radar signals match what we'd expect to see from layered ice, and are similar to the signals we see from Mars's polar caps, which we know to be very ice-rich."

Scientists say that the buried water is equal to the amount of water found in the Red Sea on Earth.

<h2>What is the Medusae Fossae Formation?</h2>

In 2007, scientists first noticed that something was buried deep in this region of the Martian equator. This area was named the Medusae Fossae Formation. Whatever this collection comprised, extended for around 5,000 kilometres along the equator.

Watters and his team&nbsp;couldn't figure out what was beneath the equator. They debated that it could be anything - from dust to volcanic ash, or something from Mars' past, or perhaps even water. Whatever it was,&nbsp;it was huge and several kilometres high.&nbsp;

<h2>How did they conclude that it was water ice on Mars?</h2>

Scientists say that if it was buried&nbsp;dust, they would expect it to have compacted under its own weight by now. However, that hasn't happened.

"Given how deep it is, if the MFF was simply a giant pile of dust, we'd expect it to become compacted under its own weight," physicist Andrea Cicchetti of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy said.

This is why they concluded that it is probably something more dense, something like ice.&nbsp;

"This would create something far denser than what we actually see with MARSIS. And when we modelled how different ice-free materials would behave, nothing reproduced the properties of the MFF – we need ice."

While evidence is strong that water once flourished on Mars, scientists are still trying to understand what could have happened to all the water. The latest discovery might be able to offer some clues.

Mars has once again stumped humans with yet another fascinating discovery. Latest research shows that the red planet is hiding giant slabs of ice at its equator.

Mars has once again stumped humans with yet another fascinating discovery. Latest research shows that the red planet is hiding giant slabs of ice at its equator. This ice runs several kilometres deep and if melted, is enough to cover the entire surface of Mars. The resulting ocean will likely be 1.5 to 2.7 metres (4.9 to 8.9 feet) deep. The discovery of these slabs of ice has been made at the Medusae Fossae Formation region on the Martian equator, first discovered in 2007. However, at the time scientists didn't know what exactly was it composed of. The latest discovery once again proves that life probably once existed on the red planet. Earlier, evidence has been found that rivers once flowed on Mars. But this is the first time that such a huge amount of water has been found on the Martian equator. ALSO READ | Two rare comets will come close to Earth in 2024. Devil Comet is one of them "We've explored the Medusae Fossae Formation again using newer data from Mars Express's MARSIS radar, and found the deposits to be even thicker than we thought: up to 3.7 kilometres (2.3 miles) thick," geologist Thomas Watters of the Smithsonian Institution said. "Excitingly, the radar signals match what we'd expect to see from layered ice, and are similar to the signals we see from Mars's polar caps, which we know to be very ice-rich." Scientists say that the buried water is equal to the amount of water found in the Red Sea on Earth. What is the Medusae Fossae Formation? In 2007, scientists first noticed that something was buried deep in this region of the Martian equator. This area was named the Medusae Fossae Formation. Whatever this collection comprised, extended for around 5,000 kilometres along the equator. Watters and his team couldn't figure out what was beneath the equator. They debated that it could be anything - from dust to volcanic ash, or something from Mars' past, or perhaps even water. Whatever it was, it was huge and several kilometres high. How did they conclude that it was water ice on Mars? Scientists say that if it was buried dust, they would expect it to have compacted under its own weight by now. However, that hasn't happened. "Given how deep it is, if the MFF was simply a giant pile of dust, we'd expect it to become compacted under its own weight," physicist Andrea Cicchetti of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy said. This is why they concluded that it is probably something more dense, something like ice. "This would create something far denser than what we actually see with MARSIS. And when we modelled how different ice-free materials would behave, nothing reproduced the properties of the MFF – we need ice." While evidence is strong that water once flourished on Mars, scientists are still trying to understand what could have happened to all the water. The latest discovery might be able to offer some clues.

Was there ever water on Mars? This new discovery could have the answer

Our red neighbour Mars hosted lakes and oceans for a long time billions of years ago. But where did all the water go? Turns out, scientists may finally have the answer to disappearance of water from the Red Planet.

It has been believed for long that the water was lost to space. But now, scientists claim that the water is trapped within minerals in Mars’ crust. The study, funded by NASA says that between 30-99 per cent of the initial water which was on Mars remains trapped inside minerals.

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Eva Scheller, lead author of the paper published in Science, told AFP that that the “crust forms what we call hydrated minerals”. These are minerals with water in their crystal structure. Earlier estimates suggest that Mars had at least 100 to 1,500 metres of ocean, covering different parts of the planet.

Over time, the planet lost its magnetic field due to which its atmosphere died off over time. Scientists believed that the water also perished during this time. Now, researchers claim that even though a lot of water was lost, majority of it remains&nbsp;on the planet.

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They reached this conclusion by focusing on hydrogen - a key component of water. They observed the data of Mars rovers, supplementing it with information of meteorites from the planet. Scientists believe the water was lost to two mechanisms: the trapping of water in crust’s minerals, and loss of water to the atmosphere.

They say that the planet lost most of its water four to 3.7 billion years ago. This essentially means that Mars as we know it today has existed for the last three billion years.

Our red neighbour Mars hosted lakes and oceans for a long time billions of years ago. But where did all the water go? Turns out, scientists may finally have the answer to disappearance of water from the Red Planet.

Our red neighbour Mars hosted lakes and oceans for a long time billions of years ago. But where did all the water go? Turns out, scientists may finally have the answer to disappearance of water from the Red Planet. It has been believed for long that the water was lost to space. But now, scientists claim that the water is trapped within minerals in Mars’ crust. The study, funded by NASA says that between 30-99 per cent of the initial water which was on Mars remains trapped inside minerals. Also read: Mystery of 'Oumuamua' solved: Find out where the foreign space object came from! Eva Scheller, lead author of the paper published in Science, told AFP that that the “crust forms what we call hydrated minerals”. These are minerals with water in their crystal structure. Earlier estimates suggest that Mars had at least 100 to 1,500 metres of ocean, covering different parts of the planet. Over time, the planet lost its magnetic field due to which its atmosphere died off over time. Scientists believed that the water also perished during this time. Now, researchers claim that even though a lot of water was lost, majority of it remains on the planet. Also read: NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars They reached this conclusion by focusing on hydrogen - a key component of water. They observed the data of Mars rovers, supplementing it with information of meteorites from the planet. Scientists believe the water was lost to two mechanisms: the trapping of water in crust’s minerals, and loss of water to the atmosphere. They say that the planet lost most of its water four to 3.7 billion years ago. This essentially means that Mars as we know it today has existed for the last three billion years.

What really happened to water on Mars? Scientists finally have the answer!

Scientists said on Wednesday they had noticed the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of Mars, thereby making a strong case as to whether the Red Planet once hosted life.&nbsp;

The traces of river channels and ancient valleys hint that liquid water was once present on Mars.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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However, now the water is mostly either buried underground or exist in the planet's ice caps.&nbsp;

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Some of the water is vapourising in the form of hydrogen leaking from the atmosphere, a new study co-authored by two scientists at Britain's Open University said.&nbsp;

The scientists used an instrument called the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery to found the vapour by analysing light travelling through the Red Planet's atmosphere.&nbsp;

"This fantastic instrument is giving us a never-before-seen view of water isotopes in the atmosphere of Mars as a function of both time and location," Manish Patel, senior lecturer in planetary sciences at the Open University, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

"Measuring water isotopes is a crucial element of understanding how Mars as a planet has lost its water over time, and therefore how the habitability of the planet has changed throughout its history."

&nbsp;

Scientists said on Wednesday they had noticed the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of Mars, thereby making a strong case as to whether the Red Planet once hosted life.

Scientists said on Wednesday they had noticed the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of Mars, thereby making a strong case as to whether the Red Planet once hosted life. The traces of river channels and ancient valleys hint that liquid water was once present on Mars. Watch | However, now the water is mostly either buried underground or exist in the planet's ice caps. Also read | Mysterious Mars landslides may be caused by melting ice and salt under surface, similar to Earth Some of the water is vapourising in the form of hydrogen leaking from the atmosphere, a new study co-authored by two scientists at Britain's Open University said. The scientists used an instrument called the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery to found the vapour by analysing light travelling through the Red Planet's atmosphere. "This fantastic instrument is giving us a never-before-seen view of water isotopes in the atmosphere of Mars as a function of both time and location," Manish Patel, senior lecturer in planetary sciences at the Open University, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. "Measuring water isotopes is a crucial element of understanding how Mars as a planet has lost its water over time, and therefore how the habitability of the planet has changed throughout its history."

Life on Mars? Study gives fresh evidence to back the claim

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Mars had a large ocean 3.5 billion years ago, Chinese rover finds

Was there ever water on Mars? This new discovery could have the answer

What really happened to water on Mars? Scientists finally have the answer!

Life on Mars? Study gives fresh evidence to back the claim