Refuted the existence of liquid water on Mars

Experts have found a problem when searching for hydrated perchlorates on Mars maps.

Scientists at Caltech (USA) concluded that due to improper processing of the data obtained, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter interplanetary station, the device mistakenly recognizes the presence of hydrated salts on the red planet. Thus, some areas of the planet where it was previously assumed the presence of water are in fact completely dry and lifeless.

Experts have discovered a problem when searching for hydrated perchlorates on Mars maps, based on information obtained from the Visible and Near Infrared (CRISM) spectrometer. Perchlorate lowers the freezing point of water to 80 degrees Celsius, making possible the existence of liquid water in the Martian atmosphere. The existence of perchlorates on Mars is also known because of the landing of the Phoenix spacecraft on the surface of the planet and the Curiosity rover.

The presence of minerals on Mars, scientists are judged by the reflection of different wavelengths of the surface of the planet. Chemicals absorb and reflect light in a particular way. However, the CRISM camera does not always work properly, so it detects reflected light spots where they should not be. Algorithms for correcting such errors sometimes make hollows in the spectrum at the same wavelength as perchlorate. Scientists have written an algorithm to identify small perchlorate deposits on CRISM maps, and the program has revealed the widespread presence of salts on the surface of Mars, including where it does not exist. had no conditions for their training.

Scientists are currently working on a more accurate method of recognizing perchlorate, which is not based solely on spectral data. According to the researchers, perchlorates are still present on Mars, but it has become apparent that they are much harder to detect than expected.