Ancient Mars Had a Carbon Cycle: Insights from Curiosity Rover

Curiosity Rover Unveils Ancient Carbonates

The Curiosity Rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars. It identified carbonates that suggest a carbon cycle existed on this once-wet planet. Scientists believe that ancient Mars featured surface liquid water and a rich atmosphere filled with carbon dioxide (CO2). This atmosphere likely interacted with the planet’s crustal rocks, leading to the formation of carbonates.

Curiosity Rover Mars Carbonates

These findings provide vital clues about the planet’s past. The presence of carbonates indicates that ancient Mars could have supported a more complex climate than previously thought. Researchers are excited about the implications this has for the understanding of Mars’ geological history and potential for past life.