American geophysicists from Pennsylvania State University have found new evidence that rivers flowed on Mars in ancient times. This was demonstrated by analysis of data from NASA’s Curiosity rover (“Curiosity”). The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Geophysical Research Letters (GRL).
Scientists have used digital modeling to simulate erosion on Mars for thousands of years. Calculations have shown that ordinary crater formations are most likely the remains of ancient river beds.
In developing the virtual model, the team found a new use for data on the Earth’s sedimentary rocks collected by oil companies 25 years ago while studying the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
The simulation showed that erosion on Earth created nearly identical landforms when compared to the Martian landscape captured by the Curiosity rover inside Gale Crater.
“We’re finding evidence that Mars is likely a planet of rivers. “We’re seeing signs of this across the planet,” said Benjamin Cardenas, lead author of the study.
The abundance of rivers on ancient Mars may indicate that life once existed on the red planet, the researcher added.
Previously microbiologists discovered A new place to look for signs of life on Mars.