They announced a sensation on Mars. Now they have doubts
Water on Mars is a highly sought-after chemical compound. Unfortunately, the latest simulations show that the theory of a lake under the ice cover at the south pole of Mars may have to be put aside.
When in 2018, Italian scientists announced success by claiming that they found an underground, actually subglacial lakethere was no end to the joy.
But when the celebration ended, a few scientists finally decided to ask the “favorite” question of all scientists “but are you sure?“. What's worse for the Italian team, in this case their colleagues decided to check it out. The results may backfire after all the tiramisu eaten in honor of the discoverers.
The simplest solution
Bright radar reflections that initially interpreted as liquid water under the ice cover in the south of Mars, they may be the result of something completely different. The discovery of a team of scientists from Cornell University is simple, comprehensive and… disappointing.
Their simulations show that small changes in water ice layers – too subtle for radar instruments to detect – can cause constructive interference between radar waves. Even if you don't really know what it is, the most important thing is this As a result of this phenomenon, bright reflections may occur that correspond to those recorded during the 2018 mission.
Does this mean there is no water there? The team from Cornell University does not want to say this clearly. Although it certainly is There's now a big question mark about this subglacial lake on Mars.
However, perhaps the simpler solution indicated by the researchers will prove to be the right one here. Simultaneously This does not rule out the existence of water in other places red planet. Research robots have already provided extensive evidence that In the past, water flowed on its surface. Can it be found in a liquid state today? It turns out that this is a question to which we still do not have a certain answer.
