Researchers found that a specific orbital alignment in 2014 provides an ideal escape route back to Earth in case of an emergency on the way to Mars. This trajectory is only possible within a few days of January 14, 2014, making it a critical launch window for future human missions.
Cornell University has been selected by NASA to lead the science team for the next Mars mission, which will include a large roving vehicle carrying six scientific instruments. The rover's Pancam panoramic camera system will reveal terrain around the vehicle and help select rock targets for study.
A new study by Dr. Laurie A. Leshin found that the crust of Mars may hold two to three times more water than scientists had previously believed. The research compares the amount of deuterium in a meteorite with the Martian atmosphere, suggesting that significant groundwater reservoirs currently exist on the planet.
Researchers from Malin Space Science Systems found steep-sided gullies and sinuous channels that suggest liquid water may be present beneath the Martian surface. The team proposes a scenario where water seeps through porous rock layers, builds up pressure, and eventually bursts forth in short-lived torrents.
The Mars Global Surveyor's Thermal Emission Spectrometer has mapped the mineral composition of Mars' surface, revealing a primarily volcanic surface with distinct differences between southern and northern hemispheres. The survey provides valuable insights into Martian geology and may help explain changes in the planet's interior.
NASA scientists presented new findings on ozonesonde data, glaciers, Mars impact features, Landsat-7 mission performance, tropical landscapes, and more. The results include insights into ozone layer changes, ice stream movements, and buried impact basins on Mars.
Researchers use data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter to test hypotheses of oceans on Mars, finding four types of quantitative evidence supporting an ancient ocean. The discovery has implications for understanding long-term climate change and its relevance to Earth's future.
The Mars Descent Imager will capture a series of about 20 images of the Martian surface, from 4 miles to 30 feet altitude, using a 'nesting' technique to create a complete scale of pictures. The high-resolution images will aid in studying the layers of ice and dust covering the polar region.
The University of Iowa team will use a low-frequency radar to probe beneath the Martian surface and study the planet's ionosphere. The goal is to detect signs of liquid water, which may be responsible for carving the planet's canyons.
Researchers have created a highly accurate global map of Mars' topography, providing insights into the planet's evolution over 4 billion years. The map reveals the Hellas basin's massive size and its impact on water transport and cycles, with dramatic slopes affecting ponding of water in certain areas.
Magnetic patterns on Mars indicate ancient plate tectonics system, with implications for understanding of the planet's topography. The team found evidence of symmetrical mirror-image stripes, similar to those on Earth, which could be remnants of a long-lost plate tectonics system.
Scientists have discovered magnetic stripes on Mars, similar to those found on Earth, suggesting the planet was once magnetized and had a global magnetic field. These findings provide insights into Mars' formation and evolution, shedding light on its potential for hosting liquid water.
The Mars Pathfinder mission sent back 2.3 gigabits of new data, including over 17,000 images and 16 chemical analyses of rocks and soil. The mission provided key findings on Mars' geology, magnetic properties, atmosphere, and cartography.
The sundial is designed to track the passage of hours and seasons on Mars, with calibration targets to adjust camera brightness and tint. The instrument carries a message from Earth to future Martian explorers, wishing them a safe journey and joy of discovery.
Researchers identify smaller, bright sand dunes formed of sulfates possibly gypsum, while larger dark dune fields are made of grains eroded from lava flows. The winds on Mars create landforms remarkably similar to those in some deserts on Earth.
Researchers from CU-Boulder will create a virtual sensor by combining data from two instruments orbiting NASA's Mars Global Surveyor satellite. They aim to identify the surface composition of Mars' polar ice and plot its perimeters, gaining insights into climate change on both Earth and Mars.
A new study using precise elevation measurements from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft provides a detailed picture of Mars' north polar region. The findings suggest that any water in the region should flow towards the pole, rather than the equator, due to its depression-like structure.
Recent analysis of Mars data from the Mars Pathfinder Mission suggests that the C1 carbonaceous chondrite standard is incorrect, with Mars exhibiting a distinct elemental composition. This contradicts previous assumptions about the terrestrial planets' formation and density variations.
Scientists estimate a small amount of life could have existed on Mars through chemical reactions over billions of years. They also explore the possibility of life on Europa, estimating lower energy availability than on Mars.
A new Martian meteorite was discovered in the hot desert climate of the Sahara, increasing the total number of Martian meteorites to 13. The meteorite's inert gas inventory and elemental ratios confirm its Martian origin, providing valuable insights into Mars' geochemical processes and evolution.
Scientists at Oregon State University have found evidence of rock-eating microbes living nearly a mile beneath the ocean floor, which could suggest similar life on Mars or other planets. The discovery suggests that conditions similar to those on Mars exist beneath the ocean floor and could support life.
Researchers discovered bacterial colonies thriving in Antarctic ice, surviving on minimal light and water. The findings suggest similar life forms may exist on Mars or Europa, and could provide insights for searching for life beyond our solar system.
Researchers at Arizona State University have found a large deposit of mineral hematite on Mars, suggesting the presence of hydrothermal activity and potentially water in the past. The find makes a strong case for future NASA missions to explore this area near the Martian equator.
The U.S. Geological Survey is using GIS techniques to investigate the origin of ancient river valleys on Mars and map impact craters, faults, and volcanoes. The research reveals that geothermal activity led to valley formation on early Mars.
The American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting will feature presentations on earthquake hazards, ocean science, and Mars research. Scientists will discuss recent discoveries and share insights on natural restoration of contaminated aquifers.
Scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center discuss approaches to building lunar and Martian bases using in situ materials. Processing materials will be a challenge due to low gravity, which affects metal behavior and microstructure formation.
The APXS instrument provides new insights into Martian soil and rocks, revealing a more Earth-like composition than previously assumed. The study suggests that Mars has complex geological provinces with varied compositions, indicating a more evolved planet.
Scientists confirm evidence of past water on Mars, including minerals and sedimentation patterns. Theories about the disappearing water include evaporation, seepage, or storage at Martian poles.
Researchers propose that reflective carbon dioxide ice clouds on ancient Mars retained thermal radiation near the surface, warming it enough for liquid water to exist. This mechanism provides clues about potential life forms on Mars and extends the habitable zone on extrasolar planets.
The Mars 2001 Lander mission aims to investigate the geological record of ancient Martian waterways and possible biology. Cornell's Athena rover will use its integrated scientific instruments to collect data on the planet's surface, including an imager, infrared spectrometer, and Alpha-Proton-X-Ray spectrometer.
The Mars Global Surveyor mission will spend nearly two years collecting data as it maps Mars' surface and atmosphere. The spacecraft will use aerobraking to trim its path around the planet, allowing for a global portrait of Mars' topography, mineral composition, and interior.
A study of Martian meteorites suggests that Mars formed quickly and became geologically quiet, with little plate tectonics. This process allowed the planet's internal structure to remain relatively unchanged since its earliest history.
A new study published in Science by a team led by University of Wisconsin-Madison geochemist John W. Valley reveals low-temperature origin for the carbonate globules found within the meteorite ALH84001, lending powerful support to the notion that features of the meteorite may have been formed by living organisms.
Researchers support a low-temperature origin for carbonate globules in the Martian meteorite ALH84001, suggesting microscopic depositions may be fossilized bacteria. The study uses secondary ion mass spectrometry to analyze oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, indicating a potential formation temperature of less than 300 degrees C.
Researchers argue that low-temperature formation of mineral deposits supports life on Mars, contradicting recent claims. The Martian meteorite Alan Hills 84001 holds a crucial clue to understanding the planet's potential for past life.
Microbial subsurface life is likely to be found on Mars and other planetary bodies in our solar system. The theory proposes that life evolved from the inside out, using rocks for oxygen, and suggests that petroleum has come up from great depths, not from biological sediments.
Dr. Michael Carr presents a case for the possibility of life on Mars, citing similarities with early Earth's hydrothermal environments and recent discoveries of organic compounds in Martian meteorites. The USGS has initiated a Mars exploration program to study the planet's climate history and distribution of water.
SRI International will operate a 150-foot parabolic reflector antenna to test UHF communication signals from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. The team will analyze received signals in real-time and send simulated signals to check the UHF link for future Mars missions.
Two possible source craters for the Martian meteorite ALH84001 have been identified through a search of impact craters on Mars. The craters are located in the southern highlands and display characteristics such as pristine ejecta blankets and sharp crater rims.
Researchers have discovered complex organic molecules and mineralogical evidence of past life in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. The study suggests that these findings could be indicative of primitive life on early Mars.