Chinese Rover Uncovers Clues of Ancient Martian Ocean
A study using data from China's Zhurong rover suggests that Mars' Utopia Planitia may have been the site of an ancient ocean, with geological features indicating past water flow. The research, published in Scientific Reports, estimates the ocean existed around 3.68 billion years ago and disappeared by 3.42 billion years ago. This finding supports the theory of a Martian ocean, potentially increasing the likelihood of past microbial life on Mars, though definitive proof would require further missions.