Mars discovery: Key metals revealed in Mawrth Vallis Valley

The European Space Agency (ESA) has shared that large quantities of iron, magnesium, and aluminum have been found in the Mawrth Vallis Valley on Mars. This information comes from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) satellite data.

As ESA experts noted, the surface of Mars is rich in iron oxides and minerals containing this element, which contributes to its characteristic red colour.

Thanks to advanced technology, we can see more than iron on Mars. Cameras operating in different electromagnetic wavebands, such as the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) instrument on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, have detected additional elements.

These cameras have revealed large quantities of other metals, not just iron, in the Mawrth Vallis valley on Mars. The images provided by these cameras show zones containing clay rich in magnesium and layers abundant in aluminum.

The Mawrth Vallis Valley attracts planetologists' attention for many reasons. In the past, water flowed there, making this area particularly interesting. Therefore, this region was chosen as the target site for the under-construction ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, which will complement the orbiter.

The rover's main task is to search for signs of life on Mars. It is worth adding that the TGO orbiter has been orbiting Mars for six years, providing valuable data about the planet's surface.

During this time, the TGO has provided detailed images of various formations on the surface of Mars, such as volcanic formations, massive dunes, or so-called dust devils – whirlwinds that span several kilometres and lift dust.