Articles tagged with Mars
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Researchers analyzed Martian meteorites to reconstruct Mars' chaotic history and find that the planet likely received water from at least two distinct sources. The findings suggest Mars never had an ocean of magma completely encompassing the planet, contradicting previous theories.
Herold, a former tropical cyclone, has weakened to a low-pressure area with wispy clouds and minimal heavy rainfall. NASA's Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the storm's center on March 20.
Astrobiologists Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Jacob Heinz found thiophene molecules on Mars consistent with biological origins. Non-biological processes, such as meteor impacts or thermochemical sulfate reduction, also remain possible explanations.
The SEIS seismometer has measured over 174 probable 'Mars quakes', providing valuable data on the planet's composition. The analysis indicates a layer of rock 10 kilometres thick, with waves spreading at relatively slow speeds, suggesting fissured or chemically altered rock.
A new study reveals that a site in southern Germany's Nordlinger Ries crater may provide insights into Mars' ancient atmosphere. The team used nitrogen isotope ratios to estimate the pH of ancient waters, suggesting high levels of carbon dioxide could have made liquid water possible on the red planet.
Scientists have discovered that Mars' magnetic field is ten times stronger than previously estimated, with fluctuations revealing clues about the planet's upper atmosphere. The findings provide valuable insights into Mars' interior structure and how it formed.
Researchers analyzed Marsquakes from InSight mission, finding moderate seismic activity intermediate between Earth and the Moon. The data revealed geological layers within the planet and identified areas of high geological activity, guiding future missions searching for potential life.
The NASA InSight lander has recorded over 450 marsquakes on Mars, providing insights into the planet's internal structure and tectonic activity. The data reveals a stronger attenuation in the upper mantle compared to the lower mantle, indicating a more fractured crust.
The InSight lander has detected gravity waves, surface swirling dust devils and the steady rumble of infrasound on Mars. The team also found daily pressure and temperature fluctuations stronger than on Earth, and convective vortices known as dust devils.
Scientists Takashi Yoshizaki and Bill McDonough developed a new compositional model for Mars, predicting the depth to its core-mantle boundary at around 1,800 km. The model suggests moderate amounts of sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen in Mars' core, with the core accounting for only about one-sixth of the planet's mass.
Scientists modeled early impact events on Mars, revealing a heterogeneous mantle and challenging previous estimates of the planet's formation time. The new research provides insight into the Red Planet's evolution and composition.
A new study suggests that Mars' ancient waters were characterized by high salinity and a neutral pH, creating an environment potentially suitable for microbial life. The research found evidence of hyposaline lakes on early Mars, which could have supported life forms similar to those found on Earth.
Scientists have discovered evidence that the magnetic field forming around Earth was even stronger 4 billion years ago, generating a protective shield from harmful solar wind and cosmic rays. This finding has implications for understanding the future sustainability of Earth's magnetic shield and its potential for supporting life.
Scientists studied Martian atmospheric water vapor using ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter data, finding seasonal changes were the dominant regulator. The study suggests that warm seasons can lead to increased water loss into space, impacting Mars' continued desiccation.
Researchers found large atmospheric pockets of water vapour at an altitude of over 80 km, accumulating in unexpected proportions. The capacity for water to escape increases during certain seasons due to the observed supersaturation rates.
Joanna Clark is developing a technique to study past Martian climate conditions using silica minerals. She plans to create silica minerals in the laboratory and analyze them for oxygen isotopes.
A new study using MAVEN data reveals that the proton aurora on Mars occurs more than 14% of dayside observations, increasing to over 80% during southern summer. This correlation suggests that changes in solar activity and Martian atmospheric conditions lead to increased water loss.
Researchers used MAVEN data to map global circulation of Mars' upper atmosphere, providing insights into the planet's climate stability and atmospheric waves. The study reveals simpler circulation patterns than Earth's, with stable winds over Martian seasons.
Researchers successfully collect wind data on Mars, revealing circulation patterns that bear the signature of mountains and valleys hundreds of kilometers below. The study's findings provide valuable insights into Martian climate and potentially inform studies on Earth's upper atmosphere.
Researchers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University present findings that a type of Martian aurora is the most common on the Red Planet, offering insights into water loss and climate change. The study uses data from NASA's MAVEN spacecraft to track hydrogen escape and understand how Mars' atmosphere has changed over time.
A new study models Earth's axis tilt and finds that 87% of exo-Earths in binary systems should have similar steady tilts, favoring climate stability for complex life. However, a modeled exo-Earth around Alpha Centauri B shows unstable dynamics due to the star system's powerful gravity, making it challenging for evolution.
A new study reveals that the Jezero crater landing site is home to hydrated silica deposits, which are exceptional at preserving microfossils and other biosignatures. The rover will be able to perform fine-scale chemical analysis and provide a close-up view of these deposits to help determine their origin.
Véronique Dehant's research aims to understand Mars' core, which is essential for determining the planet's habitability and potential for life. The ExoMars mission will collect Martian radio science data and analyze the planet's rotation to gain insights into its innards.
Kathy Benison, a WVU geologist, has been chosen as part of the Return Sample Selection Participating Scientist team for NASA's Mars 2020 expedition. She will help select promising rocks and sediments for the rover to cache or study on Mars.
Researchers at University College London analysed Martian landslide structures to understand their formation. The study found that high-speed rock particles and vibrations could create the unique ridges and furrows, contradicting the idea of icy substrates.
A $1.2 million NSF-funded study led by Texas A&M University is exploring the use of virtual reality training simulators to train workers for extreme environments. The researchers aim to create a framework for scenario-based simulations and games that utilize virtual reality, eye tracking, and brain wave data.
A team of scientists, including Texas A&M University researcher Marion Nachon, found that Mars' Gale Crater lake underwent drying episodes, potentially linked to the planet's global drying. The study reveals signs of liquid water and salt ponds similar to those on Earth, particularly in South America's Altiplano region.
Researchers successfully grew ten crops in Mars and Moon soil simulant, including garden cress, tomato, and radish. The study found that nine out of ten crops produced edible parts, with the exception of spinach.
A study published in New Space: The Journal of Space Entrepreneurship and Innovation models population growth, caloric needs, land use, and potential food sources to determine Mars' food self-sufficiency. A diet composed of plants, insects, and cellular agriculture can meet human nutritional requirements.
Researchers tripled the shelf life of ready-to-eat macaroni and cheese from 12 months to 36 months using a special coating that keeps oxygen away. The technology has benefits not only for space travel but also for improving military meals (MREs) and consumer food products.
A new study suggests that ancient Mars experienced warm periods with flowing water, followed by cold periods where water froze. This finding is significant as it increases the chances of simple life developing on Mars around the same time as it did on Earth.
Researchers at Newcastle University have found that wind erosion is unlikely to be the primary cause of methane gas release on Mars. The team used high-resolution imagery and data to rule out wind erosion as a viable mechanism for producing detectable levels of methane in the Martian atmosphere.
Brittany Seto, a UC Riverside alumna, interned at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is now working on Mars projects. The university has set a record for the number of UCR undergraduates interning at JPL, with 22 students participating in the FIELDS program.
The three Mars rovers, including NASA's Perseverance rover, ExoMars rover, and China's HX-1 rover, will analyze rocks and soil for evidence of life on the Red Planet. The missions aim to determine whether life could have existed on Mars in the past.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that resveratrol supplementation preserved muscle function and mitigated muscle atrophy under Martian gravity. The study suggests that resveratrol could be a key dietary supplement to maintain musculoskeletal health on long-term Mars missions.
A Harvard study suggests that resveratrol can preserve muscle mass and strength in rats exposed to simulated Mars gravity, with almost complete rescue of front and rear paw grip. The compound's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may help conserve muscle and bone in astronauts on long missions to Mars.
Silica aerogel could warm the Martian surface, increasing atmospheric pressure and temperatures similar to Earth's greenhouse effect. This regional approach to making Mars habitable offers a more achievable solution than global atmospheric modification.
Researchers discovered thriving bacterial communities in ancient, isolated brine samples from an Alaskan cryopeg. The findings provide insights into the potential for life on Mars and other planetary bodies.
Aarhus University researchers suggest a previously overlooked process explains methane's consumption on Mars, leading to doubts about its presence and potential biosignature. The new mechanism involves erosion and chemistry, affecting the possibility of life on or near Martian surface.
Researchers have discovered rocks in Santorini cove similar to Martian basaltic material, with properties comparable to those of the Spirit and Curiosity rovers and Martian meteorites. The findings suggest that Santorini can serve as a low-cost resource for experiments and characterization of geological processes on Mars.
Researchers discovered that meteors create 'meteoric smoke' in Mars' middle atmosphere, condensing into thin clouds. These clouds have a significant impact on the Martian climate, influencing temperatures and potentially affecting past evolution.
Researchers have identified a bacterium, Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense, as a potential sign of life on Mars. The bacterium can thrive in harsh environments with low oxygen levels and forms unique rock formations that resemble pasta, making it an easy target for detection.
A team of planetary scientists found that processes on Mars differ significantly from those on Earth, with large-scale features and differences in landform surface temperature playing key roles. The study reveals that active sand dunes are concentrated in three distinct regions, including Syrtis Major and North Polar Erg.
Newly discovered layers of ice on Mars reveal a record of past climate and could hold the key to understanding if the planet was ever habitable. The ice reserves are estimated to be as much as 90% water, equivalent to a global layer 1.5 meters deep.
A new study suggests that a strange mineral deposit near the landing site of NASA's next Mars rover is likely sourced from ancient volcanic explosions. The research provides tangible evidence for the importance of explosive volcanism on early Mars, shedding light on the water budget, groundwater abundance, and atmospheric thickness.
Scientists at the Swedish Museum of Natural History have compiled an atlas of fossils in volcanic rock to guide where and what to look for in the search for Martian life. The atlas aims to identify which types of microorganisms are most likely to have been preserved on Mars, based on their metabolism and geochemical conditions.
Numerical modeling explains the escape of hydrogen atoms from Martian atmosphere into outer space due to water photodissociation. Seasonal winds and dust storms affect water circulation, but not in an obvious way.
UTSA joins NASA's Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats institute (RETHi) to advance space smart habitat designs for deep space habitats, leveraging expertise in civil infrastructure with advanced technology fields.
A new publication outlines objectives for Mars Sample Return campaign, providing a blueprint for answering key questions about Mars. The University of Alberta is home to a vast collection of meteorites and experts like Chris Herd emphasize the importance of returning samples from Mars with context.
Researchers from USC Arid Climate and Water Research Center discovered that deep groundwater likely exists in a broader geographical area than previously thought, with an active system as deep as 750 meters. Groundwater is believed to originate surface streams in near-equatorial areas on Mars.
A new study by UChicago scientists found significant river runoff persisted on Mars later into its history than previously thought. The intense runoff, which was wider than those on Earth today, occurred at hundreds of locations and suggests a complex climate with strong greenhouse effects.
Researchers found that Mars' rivers were twice as wide as those on Earth and had intense flow persisting until one billion years ago. This suggests a global, long-lived phenomenon of climate-driven precipitation during low-atmosphere conditions on Mars.
A new paper proposes specific scientific objectives for a Mars Sample Return campaign to address fundamental questions about the planet. The study identifies critical measurements that would need to be done on returned samples to maximize their scientific value.
The study focused on the design and results of the second field deployment of BASALT, identifying critical capabilities needed for science-driven EVAs. Researchers presented recommendations for future directions and subsequent research objectives.
Researchers are investigating ways to conduct meaningful science and send valuable information back to Earth in the harsh Martian environment. Scientists have simulated mission conditions using basalt samples from Idaho and Hawaii, seeking clues to the ongoing search for life on Mars.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing a predictive model to help NASA assemble ideal teams for the Mission to Mars. The study, conducted in two analog environments, reveals that crews experience diminished abilities to think creatively and solve problems, with successful task completion rates between 20-60%.
A new study argues that recent magmatic activity must have occurred underneath the surface of Mars for liquid water to exist beneath the kilometer-and-a-half thick ice cap. The research suggests that volcanic activity in the planet's subsurface could be providing heat to generate liquid water today.
NASA's MAVEN mission is shrinking its Mars orbit to prepare for the upcoming Mars 2020 rover launch. The spacecraft will tighten its orbit from 3,850 to 2,800 miles above the surface, allowing it to circle Mars more frequently and communicate with rovers more often.
Scientists have made the first surface gravity measurements on a planet other than Earth using NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. The rover's accelerometers, used for navigation, were calibrated to measure subtle changes in gravitational acceleration, providing new information about the subsurface of Mars.
Researchers repurposed data from NASA's Curiosity rover to measure the gravitational tug of Martian rocks, finding that lower slopes of Mount Sharp have lower density rock layers than predicted. This challenges a competing theory suggesting Gale Crater was once completely filled with sediment and excavated by erosion.