The European Space Agency (ESA) released a captivating image from Mars. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) captured what looks like a ‘salty mermaid’ on the Martian surface. This discovery has sparked excitement and curiosity among both scientists and space enthusiasts.
The image shows a purple wave-like formation amidst Mars’s red, brown, and grey landscape. This ‘mermaid’ is located in a dried-up riverbed in the southern hemisphere of Mars, in a region known as Terra Sirenum. Terra Sirenum, which translates to ‘Sea of the Sirens’ in Latin, is a fitting name for this intriguing find.
The ‘mermaid’ is not a real creature, of course. It is an optical illusion created by chloride salt deposits. These deposits were identified by the orbiter’s Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS).
CaSSIS is a high-resolution camera that captures color stereo images of Mars’ surface features. It works by taking multiple images of the same area from different angles. This allows scientists to create detailed 3D models of the terrain.
The purple hue of the ‘mermaid’ is due to the presence of chlorine-rich minerals. These minerals show up as a distinct purple color in the color-infrared images taken by CaSSIS. These chloride deposits indicate that water was once abundant in this region of Mars.
Mars, once a water-rich planet, lost most of its water due to the lack of a magnetic field. Mars’ atmosphere slowly eroded away without a magnetic field, taking most of its water with it. As the water disappeared, it left mineral deposits like the one seen in the image. These deposits serve as a fingerprint of Mars’ watery past.
The discovery of these salt deposits is significant. They provide evidence of the presence of water on Mars in the past. This is crucial for understanding the planet’s history and its potential to support life. Salty waters could have been a haven for life, making areas like Terra Sirenum good targets for future exploration.
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has been orbiting Mars since 2016. Its mission is to search for trace gases in the Martian atmosphere that could indicate the presence of life. The orbiter also maps the planet’s surface for water-rich locations.
The images and data collected by the orbiter help scientists understand the history of water on Mars and its potential habitability.
The ‘salty mermaid’ is just one of many fascinating discoveries made by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. The orbiter continues to provide valuable insights into the Red Planet’s past and present.
Its findings are helping scientists piece together the puzzle of Mars’ history and its potential for life.
The European Space Agency’s ExoMars mission is joint with the Russian space agency Roscosmos. The mission aims to search for signs of past or present life on Mars.
It also aims to understand the history of water on the planet and its potential for future human exploration.
The ExoMars mission consists of two parts. The first part is the Trace Gas Orbiter, which is currently orbiting Mars. The second part is the ExoMars rover, which is scheduled to launch in 2028. The rover will carry a drill to collect samples from below the Martian surface. These samples will be analyzed for signs of past or present life.
The discovery of the ‘salty mermaid’ is a reminder of the many mysteries that Mars holds. Each new discovery brings us closer to understanding the Red Planet and its potential for life. The ExoMars mission is playing a crucial role in this journey of discovery.
