Scientists find salt glacier evidence on Mercury that may support life

" Mercury, a planet known for its intense heat and extreme conditions, is the last place one would expect to find glaciers.

However, planetary scientists have discovered possible evidence of glacier-like structures on Mercury, which is the closest planet to the sun.

Contrary to what one might assume, these glaciers are not icy; instead, they are likely composed of salt.

The Planetary Science Institute (PSI) researchers underline that these salt glaciers may provide favorable conditions for some types of bacteria to thrive in severe settings comparable to those seen on Earth. 

"Specific salt compounds on Earth create habitable niches even in some of the harshest environments where they occur, such as the arid Atacama Desert in Chile. This line of thinking leads us to ponder the possibility of subsurface areas on Mercury that might be more hospitable than its harsh surface," said Alexis Rodriguez, lead author from PSI scientist, in a press statement. "




For more details:

https://interestingengineering.com/science/salt-glacier-on-mercury-may-support-life

For the original paper:

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/acf219


And a related book:

https://amzn.to/46CX3dW 




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