Using the short-wave infrared spectroscopy and navigation and terrain camera data obtained by the Tianwen-1 Zhurong rover, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences found a lithified plate-like crust in the landing area. By analyzing the spectral data, it was found that these plate-like sedimentary rocks The crust layer is rich in minerals such as hydrous sulfate. The research team deduced that these sulfate-rich hard shells may be formed by lithification after groundwater overflow or capillary evaporation and crystallization of salt minerals cemented the Martian soil, which also marks that Zhurong has achieved international success. Hydrous minerals have been detected in situ on Mars for the first time using the rover’s shortwave infrared spectrometer. The landing area of the Zhurong rover is located on a young Amazonian stratum that has undergone remodeling events. Existing studies believe that Mars had a cold and dry climate during the Amazonian period, and the scope and extent of liquid water activity were extremely limited. Zhurong’s discovery of signs of water activity in a geologically younger landing zone suggests that the Martian hydrosphere during the Amazonian period may have been more active than previously thought. This discovery is of great significance for understanding the evolutionary history of the climate and environment of Mars. The results were published in the international authoritative academic journal Science Advances on May 11.
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