According to a study led by Professor Xiaoguang Qin from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, evidence of liquid water at low latitudes on Mars was found, which may open a possibility for a potentially habitable environment.
Previous studies have indicated that a large amount of water existed in very early days, but the climate changed drastically as a result of an escape of the atmosphere later. It was widely believed that water could only exist in solid or gaseous forms on Mars nowadays.
However, earlier probes sent to Mars have confirmed liquid water to exist at ¡°current high latitudes¡± in the summer. It wasn¡¯t until now, however, that evidence of liquid water at low latitudes on Mars was also spotted, filling the gap.
The discovery was ¡°important for understanding the evolutionary history of the Martian climate, looking for a habitable environment, and providing key clues for the future search for life¡±, said Professor Qin.
Sources:
https://scitechdaily.com/chinas-zhurong-mars-rover-finds-evidence-of-water-in-martian-sand-dunes/
https://phys.org/news/2023-04-china-mars-rover-sand-dunes.html
https://www.space.com/china-zhurong-mars-rover-recent-water-activity
Chinese National Space Administration