新发现或可解释火星红色的成因
📖 逐句对照翻译
Scientists say they might have identified the mineral on Mars that is responsible for making the planet appear red.
科学家们表示，他们可能已经确定了火星上使这颗行星呈现红色的矿物。
New data collected on Mars through several methods suggests the substance, called ferrihydrite, is likely found in dust and rock material across wide areas of the planet.
通过多种方法在火星上收集的新数据表明，这种被称为水铁矿的物质很可能存在于火星大片区域的尘埃和岩石物质中。
The team carrying out the research describes ferrihydrite as an “iron oxide mineral.”
进行这项研究的团队将水铁矿描述为一种“氧化铁矿物”。
The mineral appears reddish in color and can form in water-rich environments.
这种矿物呈微红色，可在富含水分的环境中形成。
The scientists said discovering large amounts of it on Mars adds to existing evidence that the planet might have held a large supply of liquid water in the past.
科学家们表示，在火星上发现大量这种物质为火星过去可能拥有大量液态水提供了更多证据。
The research was carried out by an international team led by America’s Brown University and the University of Bern in Switzerland.
这项研究由美国布朗大学和瑞士伯尔尼大学领导的一个国际团队开展。
The findings recently appeared in a study published in Nature Communications.
这些发现最近发表在《自然通讯》上的一项研究中。
The researchers noted that scientists have long wondered about the exact substance that gives Mars – which is also known as the Red Planet – its deep red color.
研究人员指出，科学家们长期以来一直想弄清楚，究竟是什么物质赋予了火星——也被称为红色星球——深红的色彩。
Past studies had suggested a mineral called hematite might be the cause.
过去的研究曾表明，一种名为赤铁矿的矿物质可能是原因所在。
The study is based on Martian data collected by several spacecraft.
这项研究基于多艘航天器收集的火星数据。
These include the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, operated by the American space agency NASA.
这些包括由美国国家航空航天局（NASA）运营的火星勘测轨道飞行器。
In addition, information was captured by instruments aboard the European Space Agency’s (ESA's) Mars Express and Trace Gas orbiters.
此外，欧洲航天局（ESA）的火星快车和微量气体轨道飞行器上的仪器也收集了信息。
Some data also came from exploring vehicles, called rovers, operating on Mars.
一些数据也来自在火星上运行的探测车。
In their examinations, the researchers also used manmade, or synthetic, material designed to look and feel similar to real Martian dust.
在实验中，研究人员还使用了人造或合成材料，这些材料在外观和触感上模拟了真实的火星尘埃。
Adomas Valantinas currently works as a researcher at Brown University’s Department of Earth, Environment & Planetary Sciences.
阿多马斯·瓦兰蒂纳斯目前在布朗大学地球、环境与行星科学系担任研究员。
He helped write the study.
他协助撰写了这项研究。
Valantinas noted the mystery of why Mars is red had been considered “for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.”
瓦兰蒂纳斯指出，火星为何呈红色这个谜团“已被思考了数百年，甚至数千年”。
Valantinas recognized his team was not the first to consider ferrihydrite as a possible reason for the coloring of Mars.
瓦兰蒂纳斯认识到，他的团队并不是第一个将水铁矿视为火星着色可能原因的研究团队。
But he noted, “it has never been proven as we have now, using observational data and novel laboratory methods…”
但他指出，“它从未像我们现在这样，通过观测数据和新颖的实验室方法得到证实……”
Valantinas noted the discovery of widespread ferrihydrite suggests Mars once held liquid water that would have made it possible for the planet to support some form of life.
瓦兰蒂纳斯指出，广泛分布的水铁矿的发现表明，火星曾经拥有液态水，这使得火星有可能支持某种形式的生命存在。
"Our study reveals that ferrihydrite formation on Mars required the presence of both oxygen…and water capable of reacting with iron,” he added. “These conditions were very different from the dry, cold environment of Mars today."
他补充道：“我们的研究表明，火星上水铁矿的形成需要同时具备氧气……以及能够与铁发生反应的水。这些条件与如今火星干燥寒冷的环境截然不同。”
John Mustard is a planetary expert at Brown University and was a co-writer of the study.
约翰·穆斯塔德是布朗大学的行星专家，也是这项研究的合著者。
He called it “a door-opening opportunity” for future research.
他称之为未来研究的“一个打开大门的机遇”。
But he added that additional study is needed to confirm the team’s latest findings.
但他补充说，还需要进一步研究来证实该团队的最新发现。
"As exciting as the new findings are, we realize that our results can only be verified by samples from Mars, which are currently being collected by NASA's Perseverance rover,” Mustard said. He added, “When we get those back, we will be able to check whether our theory about ferrihydrite is correct."
马斯塔德说：“尽管这些新发现令人兴奋，但我们意识到，我们的结果只能通过来自火星的样本得到验证，而美国航天局的‘毅力’号火星车目前正在采集这些样本。”他补充说：“当我们把这些样本取回来时，就能够检验我们关于水铁矿的理论是否正确。”
I’m Bryan Lynn.
我是布莱恩·林恩。
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from
布莱恩·林恩根据来自的报道为VOA学习英语撰写了这个故事。
