Articles tagged with Mars
New research reveals that Mars' mid-latitude glaciers are similar to those on Earth, with features such as lineated valley fill and debris arcs. The findings suggest that Mars is experiencing ongoing climate shifts, allowing ice to leave the poles and accumulate at lower latitudes.
A new concept, funded by NASA's NIAC, proposes using guided balloons to study the Martian surface in unprecedented detail. These balloons can be steered towards specific targets and drop small science packages, allowing for faster exploration of the planet.
CRISM will map areas on the Martian surface down to house-sized scales, detecting minerals in reflected sunlight. The instrument will identify sites most likely to have contained water, making them potential landing sites for future missions.
A recent study highlights the dangers of Solar Proton Events (SPEs) and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) on a manned Mars mission. The researcher recommends improving space weather monitoring and developing lightweight mechanisms to detect dangerous space weather, as well as creating more robust models for propagation over larger distances.
A new study by Arizona State University reveals Mars' surface minerals using THEMIS and TES data, yielding surprising results in localized areas. The findings show that Mars has evolved and continues to evolve beneath its surface, similar to Earth, with diverse igneous mineral types rivaling those found on our planet.
Researchers used ocean sound waves to track the Indian Ocean tsunami quake's movement, revealing a slower speed than expected. A new model for raindrop formation may improve understanding of Earth's climate and cloud formation.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully tested their life detection instrument, the Mars Organic Analyzer (MOA), which can detect amino acids and homochirality on Mars. The instrument passed key tests in Chile's Atacama Desert, paving the way for its inclusion on the European Space Agency's ExoMars mission.
Researchers argue that oxygen-rich atmospheres are essential for complex life to exist. However, since levels of oxygen won't have had time to develop sufficiently before a sun dies, life may not be able to evolve on planets orbiting short-lived suns.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers suggests that methane on Mars can be produced from non-living sources, including the mineral olivine. The findings provide a plausible explanation for a warmer and wetter early Mars, with abundant liquid water present on the surface.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit have been studying geology on opposite sides of Mars for over a year. The rovers have found extensive layered bedrock, including rocks containing the mineral Ilmenite, which suggests a shared origin and diversity in volcanic rocks in the Gusev region.
The Swarms Project aims to develop software framework for autonomous robots to work together, inspired by natural swarming behaviors. The project will leverage expertise in AI, robotics, and biology to tackle complex tasks such as locating terrorists or chemical spills.
Scientists from Oregon State University have discovered new theories about Mars' climate and polar regions, shedding light on the mystery of the planet's icecaps. The study reveals that the southern pole's permanent icecap is comprised primarily of carbon dioxide ice, which could indicate global climate change.
Scientists at PNNL develop MicroCATS, a system to produce propellant from Martian resources, regenerating breathable air and enabling life support. The goal is to advance microtechnology principles for larger-scale Mars missions by 2030.
Researchers have discovered five giant impact basins on Mars that lie along a great circle, indicating that asteroids collided with the planet's equator. The finds suggest that running water likely existed in the region before surface water diminished, which is crucial for future manned missions to Mars.
Researchers reassess Martian landslides using recent images and propose alternative gravity-driven explanation. Ocean color tracking reveals 50-year dataset for phytoplankton abundance estimation. Aerosol concentrations in China's atmosphere reduce daily surface solar radiation since 1961, according to Geophysical Research Letters papers.
The European Space Agency recommends a mission that combines key technologies from BeagleNet, ExoMars and NASA to search for life on Mars. The rover will include instruments to study seismic phenomena and a drill capable of penetrating the surface.
Researchers are creating a chemical guidebook to identify signs of microbial life in Martian rocks. The team, supported by a $900,000 grant, will use advanced mass spectrometer technology and fuzzy logic computer program to analyze spectral images and make decisions about sample selection.
Scientists analyze Mars Express images to find evidence of ancient glaciers, including flow features and glacial moraines. The study suggests a significant climate change on Mars within the last million years, which could be caused by a shift in the polar axis.
Recent Martian glaciers and volcanoes suggest ice-rich movement and climate change, with evidence of a major eruption over 350,000 years ago. This new research challenges the traditional view of Mars' geological history and provides fresh insights into the planet's dynamic evolution.
A frozen sea was discovered near the Martian equator using 3D images from the Mars Express probe, revealing a vast area of ice that may have been home to primitive life. The find is significant as it suggests that liquid water on Mars existed for thousands of millions of years, providing a possible habitat for life.
Researchers found diverse surface materials, including hydrated minerals, which suggest water was common on Mars. The study suggests areas like Syrtis Major, Valles Marineris, and Terra Meridiani are strong candidates for future Mars missions.
Researchers suggest harnessing atmospheric interactions similar to Earth's surface temperature warming trends to create a biologically hospitable environment on Mars. Introducing man-made greenhouse gases, such as fluorine-based compounds, could melt carbon dioxide and ice on the planet, potentially reviving dormant life.
The discovery of salty, acidic water on Mars' surface suggests the planet was once capable of cradling life. Robotic explorers like Opportunity and Spirit found evidence of shallow groundwater and wet-and-dry cycles.
The Mars rover mission has discovered evidence of prolonged presence of salty, acidic water on Mars' surface, making it a potential habitable place. The findings suggest that conditions were suitable for life to exist in the past.
Indiana University geologists David Bish and Juergen Schieber will join NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, a rover mission set to launch in 2009. The rover will explore a local region as a potential habitat for past or present life, shedding light on the Martian surface's composition.
Scientists have found evidence of sulfates, cross-bedding, and blueberry mineral deposits that indicate liquid water was present on Mars. The discovery suggests the possibility of life existing on Mars in some form.
A new method enables engineers to design more efficient heating, cooling, and other systems for spacecraft in space, on the moon, and Mars. The system uses a two-phase fluid behavior that can transfer heat effectively, making it compact and lightweight.
The Mars rover Opportunity has found evidence that liquid water once flowed through the region of Meridiani Planum, a vast plain on Mars. This discovery suggests that conditions in this area may have been habitable for life at some point in Martian history.
A team of Arizona scientists, led by Raina Maier, found microbial life in the Atacama Desert's core, which is one to two inches below the arid surface. The discovery contradicts a previous study that claimed the region was sterile, highlighting the importance of searching beyond the surface.
A team led by Professor Kenneth Mease will develop an algorithm to control a Mars lander's flight during the hypersonic entry phase and deliver the vehicle with pinpoint accuracy. The first demonstration of pinpoint landing is under consideration for a Mars mission in 2011.
Researchers at Yale University have devised a method to precisely date the timing and temperature of a meteorite impact on Mars. The (U-Th)/He dating method provides a far more accurate picture than conventional methods, shedding light on the history of Martian impacts and their effects on interplanetary material transfer.
Researchers at the University of Washington are developing a new propulsion concept that could dramatically cut the time needed for astronauts to travel to and from Mars. The mag-beam concept uses a space-based station to generate a stream of magnetized ions that propel a spacecraft through the solar system, potentially reducing round ...
Researchers found that different magnesium sulfate salts contain varying amounts of water, which could provide insight into Mars' history. The proportion and distribution of these salts may hold clues about past climate changes and water presence on the planet.
Scientists use Zoe, an autonomous solar-powered rover, to explore the Atacama Desert and test robotic capabilities. They aim to detect signatures of microbial life remotely, which will aid in future human missions to Mars.
Researchers have found that rock-dwelling micro-organisms can photosynthesise and store carbon just as much as plants in the polar regions. The discovery suggests that even the most inhospitable places may harbor surprising habitats for life, including other planets like Mars.
An international team of scientists has successfully tested an integrated Mars life-detection strategy, finding evidence of even a single-cell organism. The experiment used specially adapted instruments to identify organic and mineralogical markers in Arctic hot springs, which resemble Martian environments.
Researchers found that El Nino climate changes contribute to Antarctic cooling through atmospheric circulation shifts. Deep-sea islands stir and fertilize the upper ocean by mixing cold waters with the surface layer, while Siberian forest fires produced hazardous air pollution in western North America.
Researchers found a large body of water, comparable to the Baltic Sea or all Great Lakes combined, near the NASA Opportunity rover's landing site on Mars. The study suggests that the ancient sea was present for an extended period and must have been deep enough to build up sediments roughly one-third of a mile deep.
Despite searching for large lakes and seas, no conclusive evidence of water has been found. However, the Spirit rover did uncover small amounts of water in rock samples. The team also took spectacular photographs of Martian landscapes, including 3-D images that provided valuable insights.
Researchers confirm albedo changes in Martian soil, correlating with changes seen from Mars orbiters, providing ground-truth information. The findings indicate important variations in mineral and dust composition.
A new grant will investigate how electron-beam irradiation can sterilize spacecraft components, focusing on heat-sensitive materials. The goal is to develop a more effective and reliable sterilization technique for deep space missions.
Researchers uncover a new Martian meteorite, MIL 03346, found in Antarctica's Miller Range Icefield, bearing witness to significant segments of Mars' volcanic and environmental history. The specimen is the seventh recognized member of the nakhlites group, offering a critical 'reality check' for interpreting Mars data.
Researchers from the University of Houston are working on a plasma propulsion system called VASIMR, which aims to improve electric propulsion systems for deep space missions. The team has been studying the physics and engineering behind VASIMR since 1980 and recently received an award for their technical and scientific excellence.
Researchers suggest Martian and Utah rocks formed underground when minerals precipitated from flowing groundwater, providing clues to the origin of 'blueberries' discovered on Mars. The study also sheds light on the search for evidence of past life on Mars.
Researchers will examine submicroscopic bubbles in Martian meteorites to search for evidence of water on Mars. They will also use a new instrument to predict future volcanic eruptions by analyzing fluid inclusions in rocks.
Three undergraduate students at the University of Alberta designed a space suit for Mars that balances radiation protection, mobility, and cost efficiency. The suit incorporates new polymeric materials, such as Demron, and innovative designs like ball bearings and compression rings to address the unique challenges of Martian exploration.
A team of scientists led by UC Berkeley's Richard Mathies is developing the Mars Organic Analyzer to test for amino acid handedness, a crucial characteristic of life-based amino acids. The instrument aims to provide absolute proof of life on Mars, as detecting left-handed or right-handed amino acids could indicate biological activity.
Researchers found that heating and cooling alone can create spiral patterns on Mars, contrary to previous theories. The model suggests that differential melting and refreezing cause the spirals' unique shape and spacing.
A joint research effort discovered Mars-like soils in Chile's Atacama Desert, which are depleted in organic materials and would have been missed by NASA's Viking missions. The team found that the conditions in this environment represent a limit for microbial life on Earth.
The University of Chicago's dust instrument will help estimate particle collection during the Stardust spacecraft's rendezvous with Comet Wild 2. Scientists expect analysis to provide new insights into solar system formation, while also searching for signs of life on Mars.
Scientists discovered bacteria in deep drill holes on Earth, suggesting similar conditions exist on Mars. The findings imply that microorganisms can thrive in extreme environments, increasing the chances of life existing beyond our planet.
Dr. Squyres and over 40 team members will undergo a sleep study to adapt to Mars' 24-hour day/night cycle during the two-rover mission. The team will work six-sol weeks with varying weekend lengths, aiming to mitigate 'Martian jet lag'.
The PERs will allow museum visitors to search for organo-fluorescent evidence of life in a Martian terrain, mimicking the role of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers. The robots are powered by Intel technology and can move at 1.6 inches per second, providing an interactive experience for visitors.
Researchers analyzed features in mid-latitudes on Mars, similar to those in Antarctica's Dry Valleys, to indicate significant ice buried near the planet's surface. The study provides new insights into Martian ice ages driven by variations in the planet's orbit and tilt.
A team of scientists discovered a microbe that can survive at -20°C, which could provide clues about how life might thrive beneath the Martian polar ice caps. Researchers propose that similar habitats may exist on Mars and should be explored.
The Mars landers will display images of EarthDials from around the world, showcasing differences in shadows between hemispheres and equator. The project aims to educate about timekeeping and our planet's unique features.
Ripple features on Mars have been found to be almost 20 feet high, much taller than those on Earth, with the exact heights and grain sizes still unknown. The dimensions of these Martian ripples are likely influenced by lower gravity and may reveal insights into local and regional weather patterns.
The USGS has discovered a vast area of green mineral olivine on Mars, suggesting that the planet's surface has been dry and free from recent water activity. This finding is significant as it implies that the Martian surface has not experienced significant chemical weathering due to liquid water.
Researchers analyzed TES observations and found trace amounts of carbonate minerals in Martian dust, indicating a thin atmosphere interacting with dust. The discovery contradicts the idea of past oceans on Mars and suggests a climate history dominated by ice and frozen water.
New research suggests that hot spots on Mars could be the key to finding signs of water and life on the planet. The study, led by Dr Hoffman, compares similarities between Antarctica's Mt Erebus ice towers and potential Martian structures, proposing a new focus for the search.