New evidence finds Mars may have had conditions that could have supported life | CBC News

CBC - 17/04
A new study led by a University of Calgary scientist has found evidence that suggests Mars once had a carbon cycle, giving further support for the habitability of the red planet.

A new study led by a University of Calgary scientist has found evidence that suggests Mars once had a carbon cycle, giving further support for the past habitability of the red planet.

Using data collected from the Mars rover Curiosity, a team of scientists found an iron carbonate mineral called siderite in the planet's Gale Crater.

It's believed that this mineral formed through the process of water evaporating, and then being deposited in pores on the Martian surface. 

These findings around the sequestration of CO2 suggest that 3½ billion years ago, Mars had a very thick atmosphere and flowing water, making it a habitable environment.

The finding of sederite was surprising, the scientists said, particularly because orbital measurements taken by satellites hadn't been able to detect any siderite.

"[The samples] contain CO2, which we've been predicting for decades that should be there, but th...
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