In a recent discovery by NASA, images captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite have revealed frozen sand dunes on the surface of Mars that resemble giant “kidney beans”. Although these formations cannot be consumed, they play a crucial role in helping scientists understand whether there is enough water on the red planet to sustain life.
The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) aboard the satellite provided high-resolution images of these frozen sand dunes, known as the “kidney beans,” located in the northern hemisphere of Mars. Scientists can utilize these images to track the amount of frost deposited on the Martian terrain.
Similar to sand dunes on Earth, sand dunes on Mars are also subject to movement. Winds blow sand from one side of the dune, causing it to accumulate on the other side. Recent studies have shown that winter frosts may hinder sand movement, effectively locking the sand dunes in place until the spring thaw.
According to a report from Live Science, these images of frost-covered sand dunes aid scientists in understanding whether water has existed on the Martian surface for a significant duration, potentially allowing for the evolution and survival of life on Mars.
While the frost is composed of carbon dioxide rather than water, it still plays a role in evaluating the possibility of water presence on Mars over extended periods in the past.
The concentration of carbon dioxide on Mars is not constant and varies as the planet tilts towards the sun. Earth’s slight wobbles and tilts during rotation bring about different seasons for its inhabitants. However, over millions of years, Mars has experienced significant axial tilts and wobbles causing dramatic seasonal shifts.
When the tilt of Mars is significant, carbon dioxide ice can transition extensively into gas, thickening the planet’s atmosphere and potentially supporting liquid water over extended periods.
By understanding how carbon dioxide frost appears and disappears under current Martian conditions, scientists can make more accurate predictions about the planet’s past climate. Studying these seasonal frost variations can assist scientists in identifying geological formations caused by carbon dioxide and further enhance their understanding of Mars’ ever-changing climate.