Mars, once believed to harbour a thick, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere capable of sustaining liquid water, has baffled scientists for decades with its transformation into a barren wasteland.
Now, NASA’s Curiosity rover has uncovered new evidence that could solve the mystery behind the planet’s lost atmosphere.
While studying the sulfate-rich rocky layers of Gale Crater, the rover identified siderite—an iron carbonate mineral—challenging previous theories that suggested minimal carbonate formation on Mars. Scientists speculate that carbonates may have been obscured by other minerals or lost to space over time.
“The discovery of abundant siderite represents a surprising and important breakthrough in our understanding of Mars’ geologic and atmospheric evolution,” said Benjamin Tutolo, lead author of the study published in Science.
By drilling into Mars’ subsurface and analysing rock samples, researchers have begun piecing together a timeline of the planet’s transformation. This finding suggests that some carbon dioxide may be locked within Mars’ geology, while the rest may have escaped into space—a revelation that could redefine current models of planetary evolution.
As experts continue to analyse these newfound clues, future missions could unravel additional secrets hidden beneath Mars’ surface, bringing scientists one step closer to understanding the planet’s distant past.
