China’s Mars rover has made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering compelling evidence of water in Martian sand dunes. A new study suggests that water on Mars may be more widespread and recent than previously thought, as the rover found cracks and crusts in salt-rich dunes that indicate the presence of water. Scientists believe small pockets of water from thawing frost or snow, mixed with salt, likely resulted in the cracked surface. This latest finding was reported in Science Advances on Friday, and marks a significant step in our understanding of the potential for life on Mars.
The six-wheeled rover was launched in 2020 and arrived at Mars in 2021. It spent a year roaming the Martian surface before going into hibernation. However, it is yet to wake up after almost a year, as researchers believe the rover’s solar panels are likely covered with dust, choking off its power source. Despite this setback, the discovery of water on Mars is a significant development in our ongoing exploration of the Red Planet.