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Tracking water loss on Mars
Liquid water once flowed across the martian surface, but where did it go?
Some water is in ice caps and underground, but water loss still occurs today
The ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is providing data on Mars’ climate evolution and its habitability potential
ExoMars is following the vertical path of water through the atmosphere and its changing isotopic composition
As water moves to colder regions it condenses and its isotopic composition changes
Independent of reservoir, and over time, the ratio of D to H atoms increases
Today, the D/H ratio is about six times higher on Mars than Earth indicating great water loss
Water loss is accelerated during dust storms when the atmosphere is warmer
Southern summer drives water loss as the pole is heated up
ExoMars will continue to provide new insights into the history of water on Mars