Discover the enigma beneath Mars' surface as massive polygons, reminiscent of Earth's polar patterns, are uncovered by the Chinese rover Zhurong. Could Mars' equator have been frozen in the past?
Deep below Mars' surface, large polygon patterns have been discovered by the Zhurong rover. On Earth, such shapes form near the poles due to temperature drops causing ground cracks that fill with ice or sand, creating distinct geometric patterns.
.
Around 2 to 3 billion years ago, Mars might have experienced a climate shift. If polygons formed similarly to Earth, Mars' equator was potentially wetter and icier, resembling a polar region. The Red Planet's past may hold secrets to its climatic history.
.
The Chinese rover Zhurong made the discovery while exploring Utopia Planitia on Mars. Using radar to examine below the surface, it identified polygons approximately 70 meters across, bordered by wedges nearly 30 meters wide and tens of meters deep
.
These Martian polygons are about 10 times larger than typical Earth polygons, raising questions about their formation. Surprisingly, they were found near Mars' equator in Utopia Planitia, a dry and sandy dune field.
.
Current conditions near Mars' equator wouldn't allow the formation of these polygons. Changes in Mars' axis tilt might explain this. Computer models suggest that Mars' axis was more tilted in the past, causing significant climate shifts.
.
Ross Mitchell, a coauthor on the study, sees the discovery as 'smoking-gun evidence' for the theory that Mars' axis shifted, leading to varying climates. Unlike our perception of dead planets, Mars could have experienced dynamic climate changes.
.
If Mars once lay halfway on its side due to a highly tilted axis, the equator would freeze while poles received more direct sunlight. This alignment could explain the peculiar location of the discovered polygons.
.
We often think of planets, excluding Earth, as static. However, the revelation of buried polygons near Mars' equator challenges this notion, suggesting that Mars' climate may have undergone more significant changes than previously believed.
.
As we unravel the mystery of Mars' past, these polygons provide a glimpse into the planet's climatic history. The Zhurong rover's findings open new doors for understanding the dynamic nature of Mars beyond our expectations.
.