Ancient Martian Crystal Suggests Water Existed 4.45 Billion Years Ago

A zircon grain from a Martian meteorite reveals evidence of hydrothermal systems, hinting at early habitability on the Red Planet.

Researchers analyzed a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain from the Martian meteorite 'Black Beauty,' the oldest known piece of Mars' crust.
Chemical signatures in the zircon indicate the presence of water-rich hydrothermal systems during Mars' earliest geological period, the Pre-Noachian.
Advanced imaging techniques identified elements like iron, aluminum, and sodium, which suggest the grain formed in a hot, water-rich environment.
The findings challenge previous assumptions about Mars' early environment, suggesting pockets of habitability existed billions of years ago.
This discovery provides critical insights into Mars' geological history and the potential for life beyond Earth, though no direct evidence of life has been found.