Why is Mars Red? New Research Suggests Ferrihydrite is the Key

Join planetary scientist Beth Johnson as she interviews Dr. Janice Bishop of the SETI Institute about groundbreaking research that challenges our understanding of Mars' iconic red color. This 34-minute video presents new findings suggesting that ferrihydrite—a water-rich iron oxide mineral—rather than hematite is primarily responsible for the Red Planet's distinctive hue. Discover how Dr. Bishop and postdoctoral researcher Adomas Valantinas from Brown University analyzed data from Martian orbiters, rovers, and laboratory experiments to determine that ferrihydrite closely matches the composition of Mars' surface dust. Learn about the significant implications of this discovery, as ferrihydrite typically forms in cool, water-rich environments, suggesting Mars once had abundant liquid water before transitioning to its current dry state billions of years ago. Explore what these findings might mean for the potential of past life on Mars and why returning samples to Earth would be crucial for confirming this research.