Articles tagged with Mars
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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.
Researchers analyzing Martian sediment samples suggest three possible explanations for the carbon's origin, including cosmic dust, ultraviolet degradation of carbon dioxide, or biological activity. The findings provide insights into the ancient Mars' carbon cycle and its potential habitability.
A new study by Rice University astrophysicist André Izidoro suggests that the sun had rings before planets formed, explaining many solar system features. The model simulates the solar system's formation hundreds of times and reproduces several features missed by previous models, including pressure bumps and rings.
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 team of scientists, including Dr Phill Cassey, are calling for greater recognition of the biosecurity risks ahead of the space industry. The research highlights the potential for 'alien organisms' to survive the journey and cause invasive species threats.
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 studied the effects of isolation on human psychology, physiology, and team dynamics in a simulated off-world colony. The study found that crews' communication with mission control diminished over time, causing initial friction but eventually leading to increased cohesion despite cultural and personal differences.
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.
Physicists from HSE University and MIPT discovered a correlation between Martian dust storms and Schumann resonances. The study suggests that electric fields in the Martian atmosphere may induce standing electromagnetic waves, similar to those 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.
The Perseverance rover's first scientific analysis confirms Jezero crater was a calm lake for most of its existence, interrupted by flash floods that carried huge boulders downstream. The findings provide clues to Martian climate evolution and offer opportunities to search for signs of ancient 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 Mars rover's images show a complex watery cycle for the lake at Jezero Crater, with steady water flow and dramatic deposits from high-energy floods. The findings help guide the rover's sampling strategy, focusing on rocks that could contain signs of past life.
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 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 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.
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a carbon dioxide reactor that can convert CO2 into methane, a potential fuel source for Mars. The process, known as the Sabatier reaction, could reduce fuel needs by half for astronauts returning to Earth, making it a promising solution for future Mars missions.
China's space transportation systems have made significant leaps in recent decades, with advancements in launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and artificial intelligence. The country aims to become a powerful space nation by the mid-21st century, with plans for manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
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 create AstroCrete, a strong concrete-like material using human serum albumin and urea-based binders, suitable for Martian construction. The material's compressive strength can be up to 40 MPa, making it a potential solution for in-situ resource utilization.
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.
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.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong propose that sedimentary rocks measured by Curiosity rover represent sand and silt deposited by air-fall and reworked by wind. The discovery suggests a reducing atmosphere on ancient Mars with conditions similar to those found in modern-day deserts.
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.
Scientists have found evidence of hydrohematite, an iron oxide mineral containing water, in Martian rocks. This discovery suggests that Mars may have once had a watery environment and could hold a significant water reserve.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
A team of engineers at UC Riverside has developed a catalyst that removes perchlorate from water, which is abundant in Martian soil. The new technology could help produce oxygen for human explorers on Mars.
Astronomer Alicia Rutledge has been awarded a $200,000 NASA Planetary Science Early Career Award to support the development of a field-portable laboratory for her research on cold-climate alteration processes. The award will enable her to conduct analog fieldwork and train next-generation scientists in planetary analog science.
A new study by a joint Japan/US-based team has developed a machine learning technique that assesses complex organic mixtures using mass spectrometry to reliably classify them as biological or abiological. This approach may help detect extraterrestrial life with a different evolutionary history than Earth-life.
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.
The Marsquake Service has detected over 500 marsquakes, with most being high-frequency events occurring at great distances. Low-frequency events are less common and appear to decay more quickly than expected.
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.
UMass Lowell's Kennedy College of Sciences is hosting a free event series showcasing cutting-edge research and educational opportunities. Experts will discuss COVID-19 vaccine development, search for life on Mars, and diversity in the sciences. The series is open to the public and features online events from April 10-16.
A French-US team has discovered that Mars' climate alternated between dry and wetter periods, with lake-deposited clays forming the base of Mount Sharp before drying up completely about 3 billion years ago.
The Curiosity rover has explored the stratigraphy of Gale crater, providing insights into Mars' early climatic history. The study reveals alternating wet and dry depositional environments recorded in the sedimentary sequence, shedding light on the Red Planet's environmental changes during the Hesperian age.
Researchers from Brown University have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient crater lake on Mars that differs from other Martian crater lakes. The crater was likely fed by runoff from a long-lost Martian glacier, which suggests the planet's early climate may have been warmer and wetter than previously thought.
The study found that dry ice sublimation can form unique radial systems on Mars' surface, similar to spiders. The experiments showed that the Leidenfrost Effect plays a crucial role in eroding the spider patterns, which were more branched with finer grain sizes.
Dr. Nathalie Cabrol proposes that modern life on Mars could be more widespread and accessible than previously believed, and that understanding patterns resulting from extreme environmental interactions is key to finding life. She suggests taking the approach of Mars as a biosphere to find signs of microbial habitability.
A significant portion of Mars's water is still present on the planet, with estimates suggesting 30-99 percent is trapped within minerals in the crust. This discovery challenges the current theory that the Red Planet's water escaped into space due to low gravity.
A new study suggests that up to 99% of Mars' initial water was incorporated into minerals and buried in the planet's crust, not lost to space. Researchers used observational data and modeling to resolve long-standing contradictions about Martian water loss rates.
Research reveals that airborne dust plumes are produced by sliding blocks of dry ice each spring, which kick up sand and dust along the way. This process carves and modifies linear gullies on the slopes of a Martian sand dune.