Metallic Mars: The diverse colors of the Red Planet

Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the vibrant colors of the Mawrth Vallis region of Mars. The image reveals a landscape abundant in iron, magnesium, and aluminum. 

The colors of Mars

Mars gets its distinctive red color from iron oxides, or rust, on its surface. The Martian soil and dust are rich in iron minerals, which oxidize when exposed to the small amounts of oxygen present in the Martian atmosphere. 

This oxidation process gives the planet its reddish hue, similar to how iron objects on Earth develop rust.

The scattering of sunlight by these iron oxide particles further enhances the reddish appearance when viewed from a distance. However, the human eye can only perceive a fraction of Mars’ true color palette. 

CaSSIS image

The European Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) aboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) offers a more detailed view, showcasing a striking diversity of colors. 

This CaSSIS image reveals yellow layers rich in iron and magnesium clays, overlain by white and blue layers abundant in aluminum. 

The area is draped by a dark, heavily eroded layer, illustrating a vibrant, metallic landscape formed around 3.6 billion years ago.

Mawrth Vallis

Mawrth Vallis lies just south of the dichotomy boundary, a ridge marking the divide between Mars’ southern highlands and northern lowlands. 

This region continues to captivate scientists due to its geological complexity and history of liquid water flow. 

Although Mawrth Vallis was considered as a landing site for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, the mission ultimately chose Oxia Planum for its search for signs of life.

Upcoming Rosalind Franklin mission

The Rosalind Franklin mission is a joint mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos aimed at exploring the surface of Mars to search for signs of past or present life.

The mission is named after Rosalind Franklin, the pioneering British scientist whose work was crucial in the discovery of DNA’s structure.

The rover is designed to drill up to two meters below the Martian surface, where it is believed any signs of life may be better preserved, away from the harsh surface radiation.

The Rosalind Franklin rover was originally scheduled to launch in 2020, but technical delays and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the launch window to 2028.

Once on Mars, the rover will collaborate with other missions like NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers to advance our understanding of the Red Planet’s habitability and history.

Mars’ ancient past

While Rosalind Franklin prepares for its mission, the TGO remains in orbit, conducting crucial research to unravel Mars’ ancient past and assess its potential habitability. 

Since beginning its full science mission in 2018, TGO has not only captured stunning images but also provided a comprehensive inventory of Mars’ atmospheric gases and mapped water-rich locations on the planet’s surface.

For six years, CaSSIS has delivered breathtaking views of Mars in vivid color, documenting features ranging from volcanic landscapes to active dust devils and immense sand dunes. 

Understanding Mars’ water history and its implications for past life remains a core focus of ESA’s ExoMars missions.

Metals on Mars

Mars is rich in various metals that contribute to its geological and mineralogical diversity. 

While iron is the most prominent, magnesium is also abundant. It is often found in the form of clays, contributing to the planet’s diverse mineral composition. 

Aluminum is another significant metal present on Mars, commonly found in layered deposits and sediments.

Complex metal layers of Mars

These metals are not evenly distributed but are found in various concentrations across the Martian surface. 

For instance, regions like Mawrth Vallis exhibit a complex layering of different metal-rich minerals, including iron and magnesium-rich clays overlain by aluminium-rich layers. 

This diversity indicates a rich geological history involving water activity, volcanic processes, and sedimentary deposition.

Major changes over time

The presence of these metals suggests that Mars has undergone significant chemical and physical processes over billions of years, shaping its current landscape. 

Understanding the distribution and composition of metals on Mars helps scientists piece together the planet’s history and assess its past potential for habitability.

Image Credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS

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