New Discovery Could Explain What Gives Mars its Red Color

Scientists say they might have identified the mineral on Mars that is responsible for

making the planet appear red.

New data collected on Mars through several methods suggests the substance called ferrohydrite

is likely found in dust and rock material across wide areas of the planet.

The team carrying out the research describes ferrohydrite as an iron oxide mineral.

The mineral appears reddish in color and can form in water-rich environments.

The scientists said discovering large amounts of it on Mars adds to existing evidence that

the planet might have held a large supply of liquid water in the past.

The research was carried out by an international team led by America's Brown University and

the University of Bern in Switzerland.

The findings recently appeared in a study published in Nature Communications.

The researchers noted that scientists have long wondered about the exact substance that

gives Mars, which is also known as the red planet, its deep red color.

Most studies had suggested a mineral called hematite might be the cause.

The study is based on Martian data collected by several spacecraft.

These include the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter operated by the American space agency NASA.

In addition, information was captured by instruments aboard the European space agencies,

ASAS, Mars Express, and Trace Gas Orbiters.

Some data also came from exploring vehicles called rovers operating on Mars.

In their examinations, the researchers also used man-made or synthetic material designed

to look and feel similar to real Martian dust.

Ottomus Valentinus currently works as a researcher at Brown University's Department of Earth, Environment, and Planetary Sciences.

He helped write the study.

Valentinus noted the mystery of why Mars is red had been considered for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Valentinus recognized his team was not the first to consider ferrohydrite as a possible

reason for the coloring of Mars.

But he noted, it has never been proven as we have now, using observational data and novel laboratory methods.

Valentinus noted the discovery of widespread ferrohydrite suggests Mars once held liquid

water that would have made it possible for the planet to support some form of life.

Our study reveals that ferrohydrite formation on Mars required the presence of both oxygen

and water capable of reacting with iron, he added.

These conditions were very different from the dry, cold environment of Mars today.

John Mustard is a planetary expert at Brown University and was a co-writer of the study.

He called it a door-opening opportunity for future research.

But he added that additional study is needed to confirm the team's latest findings.

As exciting as the new findings are, we realize that our results can only be verified by samples

from Mars, which are currently being collected by NASA's Perseverance rover, Mustard said.

He added, when we get those back, we will be able to check whether our theory about ferrohydrite is correct. I'm Brian Lynn.