In the search for evidence of life on Mars, scientists are now turning to carbonates as a possible indicator. Carbonates are chemical compounds composed of calcium, magnesium, and carbon, and are known to form in the presence of water. A team of researchers from the United States and Germany have developed a new method of classifying carbonates that could help in the search for life on Mars. Using a combination of spectroscopy, computer-aided detection, and machine learning, the researchers have created a more accurate and efficient way to identify carbonates on the Martian surface. This new method is expected to help researchers better understand how carbonates form on Mars, and possibly even detect evidence of past or present life.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org