Zhurong Rover Uncovers Ancient Ocean Clues on Mars
China's Zhurong rover, part of the Tianwen-1 mission, has discovered geological features in the Utopia Planitia region of Mars that suggest the presence of an ancient ocean shoreline, potentially rewriting the history of water on the planet. Using advanced tools like ground-penetrating radar and multispectral cameras, the rover identified formations typically associated with shorelines, supporting the hypothesis that Mars's northern lowlands were once covered by an ocean during the Hesperian period. While some scientists remain skeptical due to erosion concerns, the findings could have significant implications for understanding Mars's climate history and its potential to have supported life.
