The recent discovery of a terrestrial clone of Mars on our planet Earth might be the start of plenty of new research on the Red Planet, and for a lesser cost.
Scientists from the Space Applications Center in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur and the National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad discovered a landscape quite similar to the planet Mars in Gujarat, India.
The recently discovered landscape possesses a mineral accumulation of jarosite and has a rocky landscape that is quite similar to the Martian surface. It was in 2004 that NASA's space exploration rovers discovered the rare mineral on Mars.
Jarosite is usually found after a volcanic eruption and indicates an oxidizing and acidic environment. This rare mineral is actually a hydrated iron sulfate composite which, when exposed to a wet environment, gets specific mineral properties.
Its discovery on Mars indicates that Red Planet once had large amounts of water.
Scientists said the jarosite formation on Mars is a result of near-surface acidic water and oxidizing conditions. An intense study on this rocky landscape might bring to understanding the water-based activity on Mars.
Last year, NASA scientists discovered flowing water in our neighboring planet. According to the research done by NASA, hydrated minerals on the rocky slopes of Mars were discovered. These streaks flow over the slopes over time.
Later, they were discovered to be recurring slope lineae and indicate a possibility of flowing water in Mars.
More research has to be done to recognize the water bodies discovered there.
The discovery of a similar landscape in Gujarat will help in further research and study of the Red Planet. Instead of sending robots there, research could be conducted right here in the Matanumadh Formation at a reduced cost.
The jarosite localities were also earlier found in Australia, but are not as similar as the one discovered in Gujarat.
Research to understand the geology of the Martian surface can now be conducted on this rocky surface. This is a cost-effective and safer means to research and study the planet Mars.