The climate change in Mars has been the debating topic among scientists and researchers for years, and it was believed that 3 to 4 billion years ago the planet was warm and wet just like planet Earth.

It could have made life possible to exist there. However, recent studies show otherwise.

Like Us on Facebook

Robert Wordsworth, together with his fellow co-workers, conducted a study on the planet's water cycle under different sequence of events during the late Noachian up to the early Hesperian periods.

They looked at Mars as warm and wet on one scenario, while the other was cold and icy. The authors found out that the cold scenario most likely took place, Science Daily has learned.

The study proposes that the cold and icy Mars was attributed to the water drainage and erosion that can be seen on the planet right now. The tilt of the Mars' axis would have directed its poles toward the Sun in the outer space, driving the polar ice to the equator.

In addition, Wordsworth said that the cold scenario model shows that Mars only gets 43 percent of Earth's solar energy. A younger Sun, which scientists believed to be 25 percent dimmer compared to today's, lit Mars at the time. 

In short, the Assistant Professor in Environmental Science and Engineering at Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is suggesting that the cold scenario model can provide a better explanation for this phenomenon. 

The study also suggests that despite the warming factors, including a heavy atmosphere filled with carbon dioxide, the red planet would still be cold, Phys Org learned. 

The researchers said that warm and wet took more work compared to cold and icy model. They incorporated several climate effects to the model, forcing Mars into the warmer state. 

There were already studies in the past, and climate-warming clouds, carbon dioxide and dusts were taken into consideration. Even then, climate models didn't show the planet developing any warm and wet phase. 

The researchers said it didn't explain miscellany features and network of valleys found on the planet today and why they tend to be collective near it's equator. 

Nonetheless, Wordsworth said that the cold and icy model is not perfect. He added that he's keeping an open mind about it, according to Harvard Gazette.

TagsMars, outer space, planet, Science