Scientists say newly examined data from a Chinese explorer on Mars adds to existing evidence that the planet once had a very large ocean.
The exploring vehicle, or rover, is called Zhurong. It landed on the Martian surface in 2021. The rover has been operating in an area known as Utopia Planitia. This area is a large plain in Mars’ northern hemisphere, the American space agency NASA explains.
The researchers combined data from Zhurong’s instruments with observations from satellites and spacecraft orbiting Mars. The team said the examinations appeared to show that Utopia Planitia had geological elements suggesting an ancient ocean coastline.
The scientists said multiple elements, or features, pointed to evidence that a large ocean existed on Mars billions of years ago. The discovered surface features included troughs and channels that may have been formed by flowing water on Mars.