'Significant areas of Mars may have once been covered by water': Scientists find hidden clue in Spirit rover data
Scientists reanalyzing data from NASA's Spirit rover have discovered traces of crystalline hematite and altered magnetite in Martian soil. These minerals indicate that liquid water was likely more widespread on Mars than previously believed.
Why it matters
This finding provides significant new evidence regarding the history of water on Mars, which is a key factor in the search for past life on the planet.
Solar System Mars 'Significant areas of Mars may have once been covered by water': Scientists find hidden clue in Spirit rover data News By Samantha Mathewson Published 4 August 2026 A new analysis of NASA's Spirit rover data reveals overlooked traces of crystalline hematite and altered magnetite.
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Click for next article The Spirit rover on Mars. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter More than 20 years after NASA's Spirit rover began exploring Mars, scientists have uncovered a hidden clue in its archival data that adds to mounting evidence that the Red Planet was once rich in liquid water.
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