The SNMMI has launched the Mars Shot Fund to support innovative nuclear medicine and molecular imaging research. The fund aims to secure $100 million in funding and is currently at $600,000, following generous donations from individuals and organizations.
Scientists have learned how discrete auroras on Mars are formed through the interaction between solar wind and crustal magnetic fields. The study, published in JGR: Space Physics, reveals that aurora occurrence rates depend on solar wind conditions and orientation.
Researchers found that Mars' extreme energy budget imbalance can contribute to dust storms. The team analyzed four years of data from NASA missions and found a correlation between the planet's orbits and temperatures, suggesting that the energy excess may be one of the generating mechanisms of Mars' dust storms.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that life on Mars is unlikely due to limited water circulation. Researchers used neutron and X-ray tomography to analyze a 1.3 billion-year-old meteorite, finding only small amounts of water reacted with the rock.
A new study by UC Berkeley scientists finds that solar photovoltaics can provide sufficient power for extended Mars missions, outperforming nuclear fusion reactors in over 50% of the planet's surface. This breakthrough provides a more practical solution for long-term human settlements on Mars.
Researchers from InSight's Marsquake Service have detected two massive marsquakes on Mars' far side, with magnitudes 4.2 and 4.1. The events provided unique insights into the planet's core-mantle boundary and offered a glimpse into previously unexplored regions of Mars.
Researchers propose a modular Mars exploration rover system consisting of four two-wheeled robots that can operate independently or combine in various constellations. The approach enables longer missions and gathers more information about the planet's history and potential habitability.
The study focused on the analysis and selection of Mars parachute types, with a focus on supersonic speed, low density, and harsh atmospheric conditions. The optimized tapered DGB parachute structure demonstrated improved deceleration performance, meeting the requirements for the Tianwen-1 Mars probe.
Planetary scientist Roger Wiens has equipped the Perseverance rover with a microphone and laser technology to analyze rocks and record sounds on Mars. This innovation opens up new avenues for research, including studying Martian geology, wind patterns, and dust devils.
Researchers used NASA's Planetary Spectrum Generator to analyze light from Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, shedding new light on the presence of biosignatures and chemical compounds. The study helps clarify the association between methane on Mars and life, as well as the fate of Martian water.
Perseverance mission has recorded the first ever sounds from Mars, showing that the planet is quiet due to low natural sound sources. The rover's microphone captured sounds within the human audible spectrum, including shock waves and helicopter flights.
A team of researchers led by Purdue University's Michael Sori found that smaller Martian ice deposits hold key evidence for the planet's orbit and axial tilt's impact on its climate. The study used NASA's HiRISE camera images to analyze layer shapes in an ice deposit, providing insights into Mars' climate history.
A new study on Mars' ice deposits provides insight into the planet's past climate, matching layers to Martian orbital dynamics with unprecedented resolution. The findings help scientists understand Mars' climate history and identify potential periods of habitability.
The researcher will use a combination of rover, orbital, and analog data to understand the geological record on Mars. The team aims to link the orbital data with images and thermal infrared data from the Curiosity Rover to improve our understanding of past depositional conditions across Mars.
Researchers explore the influence of forebody and afterbody shapes on Mars ascent vehicle aerodynamic performance. Studies reveal that conical forebodies can reduce drag in slender ascent vehicles, while exponential forebodies improve resistance performance in short blunt bodies.
New research investigates electrolysis efficiency on the Moon and Mars, finding that lower gravity reduces oxygen production by 11%. The study provides valuable insights for establishing life support systems and power budgets for future human settlements.
Researchers recreated conditions expected in Mars' core billions of years ago and found that molten metal gave rise to a brief magnetic field. This led to the evaporation of water vapor and eventual loss of Martian oceans about 4 billion years ago.
Researchers found evidence of high-intensity damage caused by asteroid impact in a Martian meteorite, challenging previous findings on early Mars habitability. The discovery provides new insights into dynamic processes that affected the young planet's surface.
A recent study discovered that a hydrothermal crater lake in Costa Rica's Poás volcano is home to a diverse range of microorganisms, including the single 'extremophile' genus Acidiphilium. These bacteria have adapted to survive in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and toxic metals, which may be similar to those found on Mars.
A recent study led by the University of Texas at Austin has found that liquid water detected under Mars' ice-covered south pole is likely a dusty mirage. However, the researchers suggest that ancient lakes and riverbeds may still be present on the planet, offering clues about its wetter past.
Researchers conducted a free-flight ballistic range test to capture the attitude behaviors and aerodynamic characteristics of Tianwen-1 Mars entry capsule. The study revealed that the capsule is dynamically unstable in pitch and yaw directions, but statically stable in these directions.
The Curiosity rover has detected large amounts of carbon 12 in Martian rocks, which could be indicative of biological processes. The discovery is intriguing, but scientists caution that more data is needed to rule out non-biological explanations.
A team of researchers found that the building blocks of Earth and Mars originated primarily from the inner Solar System, contradicting a popular theory. The study analyzed the isotopic composition of rocky planets and meteorites, revealing that only about 4% of the material came from beyond Jupiter's orbit.
A new study suggests that clay minerals like smectite could store the missing water on Mars. Researchers found that iron-rich smectite can form at depths of up to 30 km, making it a potential reservoir for the planet's lost water.
Researchers are using a multi-disciplinary approach to study the habitability of exoplanets, with Mars serving as a key example. The team is analyzing the atmospheres of different planets and how they might retain them under various conditions.
A team of researchers from Northern Arizona University discovered that water briefly existed in the Arabia Terra region on Mars. The study used thermal inertia to understand how rock layers were formed, revealing that the deposits could have only had water for a brief period.
The Tianwen-1 Mars rover landed successfully due to its advanced autonomous guidance, navigation and control system. The system performed reliable key event triggers and accurate state estimates to implement trajectory and attitude controls.
Researchers analyze new seismic data from the Mars InSight mission to plan for future planetary seismographs. The findings provide insights into Martian seismic activity, signal processing, and instrument operation, paving the way for upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter's moon Titan.
Researchers analyzed seismic data to uncover the composition of Elysium Planitia's shallow subsurface, revealing a regolith layer and basaltic rocks. The findings provide insights into Mars' geological history and properties that will inform future landed missions.
A new study warns that searching for signs of life on Mars could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by non-biological processes. Researchers say it's crucial to distinguish these from evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet to aid future missions.
Researchers used a machine learning algorithm to identify the likely source of a group of Martian meteorites, finding that they originated from Mars' Tooting crater. The study provides new insights into Mars' volcanic past and geological context, with potential benefits for industry sectors on Earth.
Researchers found fatty acid compounds, GDGTs, and archaeol compounds in salt sediments of Qaidam Basin, a promising analog site for Mars exploration. The distribution of lipids provides important references for understanding Martian habitability.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have created a bioproduction process to produce rocket fuel on Mars, reducing mission cost and generating excess clean oxygen. The bio-ISRU strategy uses cyanobacteria to convert CO2 into sugars, which are then converted by E. coli into a Martian propellant.
Scientists analyzing rocks from Mars' Jezero Crater floor discovered extensive weathering and alteration caused by water, suggesting a window of time when the planet may have been habitable. The findings also support the possibility of ancient Martian life.
The Mars Perseverance rover's on-the-ground views helped UF scientist Amy Williams and the NASA team narrow their search for ancient life. The rock layers revealed familiar patterns matching those seen on Earth, indicating how the delta in Mars' Jezero Crater formed.
The Perseverance rover's images of the Martian river delta reveal a steady flow of water into an ancient lake about 3.7 billion years ago. The analysis also identifies promising rock layers that could preserve traces of life, if it ever existed on Mars.
Researchers study Martian sand ridges to understand wind behavior, finding evidence of dune interactions similar to those on Earth. By analyzing these features, scientists can better interpret wind patterns on Mars and gain insights into the planet's geology.
Researchers found that clover grown with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Martian regolith experienced significant 75% more root and shoot growth compared to uninoculated plants. However, the regolith showed no excess production of nitrogen compounds, suggesting a potential role for these microbes in terraforming Mars soils.
Researchers found that lake breach floods played a crucial role in shaping the Martian surface, creating river valleys with nearly a quarter of the Red Planet's total volume. The study's findings suggest that these floods had a lasting impact on the surrounding landscape, influencing the formation of other nearby river valleys.
Researchers used Mars Odyssey data to identify sub-surface water ice deposits in temperate regions of Mars. Seasonal variations suggest significant quantities of water ice can be found beneath the surface, making them ideal resources for future human missions.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that Mars' small size limits its habitability due to a lack of retained volatiles. Researchers used potassium isotopes to determine the presence and abundance of volatile elements on Mars, finding a correlation between body size and volatile composition.
Researchers at Skoltech have identified a favorable window of opportunity for manned Mars missions in the mid-2030s. The study suggests that launching during the decaying phase of solar activity can help shield astronauts from cosmic rays, allowing for longer flight durations.
Researchers found that buttes on Mars can block about 20% of radiation from the sky, reducing the dose by a significant amount. However, this effect is limited by albedo radiation, which increases when the terrain reflects and emits radiation backwards.
An international team of space scientists finds that humans can travel to and from Mars safely if the spacecraft has sufficient shielding. The round trip should be shorter than four years. Scientists also recommend timing the mission during solar maximum to shield astronauts and the spacecraft from radiation.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that smectites, a type of clay, are the most likely explanation for the bright radar reflections discovered at Mars' south polar cap. The research team used multiple lines of evidence to demonstrate that clays can explain all observations, putting the lake hypothesis on ice.
The InSight mission has unveiled Mars' internal structure, revealing a large liquid core and an altered crust. The study analyzed seismic waves from over 600 Martian quakes, identifying discontinuities in the crust and determining the upper mantle's structure.
The InSight mission has successfully mapped the internal structure of Mars using seismic waves detected by the SEIS instrument. The analysis revealed an estimate of the core size, crust thickness and mantle structure, providing valuable information on the planet's formation and thermal evolution.
A team at the Natural History Museum is testing spectral instruments for the ExoMars rover to identify meteorites on Mars. The rover's success rate is significantly higher than dedicated meteorite hunts on Earth, with one meteorite found per kilometre travelled.
Researchers have determined the crustal thickness of Mars for the first time, with values ranging from 20 to 39 kilometers. This independent measurement allows for a precise map of the planet's crust across its entire surface.
Researchers from ETH Zurich analyzed data from NASA's InSight mission, revealing that Mars' crust, mantle, and core have distinct structures. The findings suggest that Mars was once completely molten, but now has a thinner crust with a relatively high proportion of radioactive elements.
A 2018 Martian dust storm destroyed a southern hemisphere cold air vortex and brought an early spring, whereas the northern hemisphere's vortex remained stable. The storm had profound effects on the atmosphere, including altering wind patterns and suppressing waves in the northern hemisphere.
The InSight mission provides clues to Mars' composition, mapping its crust, mantle, and core for the first time. Researchers find a multi-layered crust with an average thickness of 24-72 kilometers and a thick lithosphere beneath.
Researchers have created an AI-powered method to automate the identification of promising lunar landing and exploration areas. The technique uses machine learning and deep learning frameworks to accurately detect craters and rilles with precision rates as high as 83.7%, outperforming existing state-of-the-art methods.
Two University of Arkansas researchers will study how carbon-dioxide ice pits in Mars' polar caps have formed and evolved over time. They aim to better understand the seasonal and long-term cycles of these ice pits and their impact on Martian atmospheric dynamics.
Researchers at University of Arizona discovered evidence of recent volcanic activity on Mars, suggesting eruptions could have taken place in past 50,000 years. The discovery of a previously unknown volcanic deposit raises possibility of habitable conditions below Martian surface.
Researchers at HI-SEAS analog lunar habitat in Hawaii use spacesuits to explore lava tubes, mimicking conditions on the moon and Mars. The study aims to improve methods and suits for future astrobiology research.
A new simulation led by University of Chicago geoscientist Edwin Kite finds that high-altitude water ice clouds could have created a greenhouse effect on early Mars, enabling the presence of flowing rivers and lakes. The study challenges previous assumptions about the Martian climate and offers insights into the planet's habitability.
A global climate model simulation suggests that a cloud greenhouse effect could have warmed early Mars to support liquid surface water, with low clouds and warm stable climates emerging near surface water-ice patches. The results are consistent with geological data indicating a warm, arid early climate for the planet.
A new study published in Astrobiology finds that Martian meteorites contain the necessary ingredients to support microbial life, including water and radioactive elements. The researchers believe that wherever there's groundwater on Mars, there's a good chance of finding habitable environments for subsurface microbial life.
Ancient dune fields in Gale crater provide evidence of variable wind directions, shedding light on Mars' climate evolution. The findings suggest that the Martian surface may have been less hospitable to life than previously thought, with a vast expanse of desert sand representing a snapshot of time.