Water Discovery on Mars: The Valles Marineris and Beyond

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found significant amounts of water in a region on Mars that resembles Earth's Grand Canyon. This area, known as the Valles Marineris, is the largest canyon in the solar system, measuring 10 times longer and five times deeper than the Grand Canyon in the USA. Using advanced technologies, researchers have revealed evidence of water ice beneath the Martian surface, opening up new possibilities for the exploration of Mars.

Valles Marineris: A Mars Grand Canyon

Valles Marineris, named after the Mariner space probe that first photographed the canyon system, is a vast system of canyons on Mars. Given its vast scale, the search for water in this region is both challenging and exciting. The presence of hydrated minerals in the past, and the recent detection of hydrogen using the Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND), point towards the existence of water ice.

Finding Water on Mars: The Role of FREND

The recent water discovery was made possible by the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), equipped with the FREND instrument. FREND, an advanced neutron detection instrument, can indicate the presence of hydrogen in the Martian soil, which is a key component in water. Alexey Malakhov, a co-author of the study, explained: 'Neutrons are produced when highly energetic particles known as ‘galactic cosmic rays’ strike Mars. Drier soils emit more neutrons than wetter ones, allowing us to deduce the water content of the soil.'

The study, conducted between May 2018 and February 2021, involved a series of observations that provided unprecedented spatial resolution. This technique enabled the team to pinpoint areas with high water content, distinguishing between different regions of the canyons. The findings suggest that up to 40% of the near-surface material in the Valles Marineris region is water ice, primarily found within the upper 1 meter of the soil.

Exploring the Water-Ice Region

To further investigate these water-rich regions, NASA is developing a lightweight telescoping divining rod. This instrument, designed to deploy from the next scheduled rover, aims to extract subsurface samples for detailed analysis. The concept is similar to the Ingenuity helicopter, which could perform low-level surveys to identify optimal drilling or digging sites.

One of the challenges in exploring Mars is the presence of perchlorates, which can be highly saline and harmful to microorganisms. However, the recent findings suggest that the water in Valles Marineris is less likely to be highly saline, making it a more promising location for finding signs of past or present life.

Implications for Mars Exploration

The discovery of water-ice regions in Valles Marineris has significant implications for future Mars missions. Water is a critical resource for human habitation and could support the development of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. The presence of water ice could provide a reliable source of fuel, drinking water, and even building materials for future missions.

Finding water on Mars also enhances the possibility of discovering signs of life. Liquid water is a key ingredient for life as we know it, and the presence of water ice in a region that has been geologically active in the past suggests that the conditions may have been suitable for microbial life.

As we continue to explore Mars, advanced technologies like FREND and future rovers will play a crucial role in uncovering the mysteries of the Red Planet. The discovery of water in the Valles Marineris is a significant step forward in our quest to understand Mars and its potential for supporting life.

Keywords: Valles Marineris, Mars Water, Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND)