Chinese rover finds evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

A study based on data from China's Mars rover Zhurong provides key evidence that an ancient ocean once existed on Mars' northern plains, suggesting that the planet could have been habitable, according to the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday.

Data from the rover revealed multiple layers of inclined sedimentary structures at depths of 10 to 35 meters beneath the southern part of Utopia Planitia region in Mars' northern hemisphere, near the rover's landing site.

These geological features closely resemble coastal sediment deposits on Earth, and such structures can only form in stable, long-lasting bodies of water.

The findings suggest that Mars may have experienced a long period of warmth and moisture, potentially making it habitable.

Zhurong, China's first Mars rover, successfully landed in southern Utopia Planitia on Mars in May 2021.

Chinese rover finds evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

Chinese rover finds evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

Chinese rover finds evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

Chinese rover finds evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

The United States Central Command released a statement on Tuesday saying that a U.S. Army Apache helicopter gunship crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, and that its two crew members had been rescued.

According to the statement, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down at 7:33 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters.

The soldiers were rescued within around two hours and are in stable condition.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, although U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post that the helicopter had been shot down by Iran.

"I have just been informed ... that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday.

The two pilots onboard the helicopter were rescued and are "safe and uninjured," Trump said.

"Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he added.

U.S. military confirms helicopter crash near Strait of Hormuz, Trump vows to respond