Articles tagged with Mars
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The research found that Mars' magnetotail is unique, with a twist caused by magnetic reconnection between the solar wind and embedded surface fields. This process may also propel some of Mars' atmosphere into space.
Researchers discover that non-thermal plasma can efficiently produce oxygen on Mars through decomposition of CO2. The process could provide a stable and reliable source of oxygen for manned missions, reducing costs and risks.
A NASA study reveals that powerful solar eruptions could charge areas of the Martian moon Phobos to hundreds of volts, potentially affecting sensitive electronics. The charging effects could also affect astronauts on potential human missions to Phobos.
Researchers have discovered that a specific microbe can oxidize and metabolize metals from synthetic Martian regolith simulants, leaving behind unique signatures. This finding could enable the extraction of metals from asteroids and other celestial bodies using biological methods.
Researchers found a potential bridge between Martian geology and atmospheric models, suggesting peak daily temperatures above freezing could cause melting at glacier edges. This meltwater could have carved the features observed on Mars today, supporting the formation of water-carved valleys and lakebeds.
Researchers analyzed the structure of mimetic Martian water to understand how it could exist on the Martian surface. They found that concentrated perchlorate solutions could survive low temperatures, raising questions about the possibility of life on Mars.
Researchers explored racial microaggressions in STEM fields, finding they negatively impact underrepresented scientists. In another study, a 'dynamical shake-up' model explains why Mars is so small and there are no planets in the asteroid belt.
The article discusses a debate over Mars exploration strategies, with some experts proposing the relaxation of planetary protection policies to expand the search for life on Mars. Current robotic missions may be hindering the discovery of Martian life due to contamination concerns, but easing policies could lead to breakthroughs.
Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered evidence suggesting that massive collisions during planetary accretion resulted in significant mass loss, altering a planet's composition. This process, which occurred in the Earth and Mars formation, led to their distinctive volatile poor compositions.
The NASA Mars 2020 rover will feature a new SuperCam instrument with Raman spectroscopy capabilities, allowing it to detect carbon-based signatures of organic materials. The instrument uses a conduction-cooled laser system and can produce 1000 shots in one burst, significantly improving sampling efficiency.
Researchers propose using the element vanadium to verify microfossils for signs of life on Mars. Vanadium can substitute into biological compounds and is found in known biological sources, such as chlorophyll.
Researchers have found river deposits on Mars that date back over 3.5 billion years, indicating a surface environment capable of supporting liquid water. The study suggests that large fluctuations in the size of the water body forced the formation of paleo-valleys, revealing long-term stability in the controlling water body.
Researchers found a lower density in Mars' crust, indicating possible porosity, which could impact the planet's formation and evolution. The new gravity map reveals variations in crust thickness beneath volcanoes.
Scientists discovered borates in a Martian crater, indicating that ancient conditions were favorable for RNA synthesis and potentially life. The presence of boron on Mars adds to evidence for habitability, opening possibilities for life's origins.
The Mars 2020 mission utilizes advanced techniques developed from studying early life on Earth to detect biosignatures in ancient Martian rocks. By mapping elemental and organic composition at high spatial resolution, scientists aim to determine if these features were formed by life.
The Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG) is being enhanced with additional databases to provide more accurate predictions of instrument performance. This will enable scientists to design and plan future missions more efficiently, reducing costs and resources.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of Phobos, the smallest moon in our solar system, as it orbits Mars. Phobos is just 16.5 miles across and completes an orbit in just 7 hours and 39 minutes, faster than Mars' rotation.
A new study suggests that a massive asteroid impact early in Mars' history could explain the planet's unique geological features. The research proposes that an asteroid at least 1,200 kilometers across crashed into Mars, depositing rare metals and creating the planet's hemispheres.
Researchers suggest using telepresence technology to reduce communication delays in space research, enabling scientists to conduct scientific investigations more quickly. This approach could expand the number of destinations where humans can do great science, including those currently inaccessible due to safety concerns.
MAVEN has made several groundbreaking discoveries about the Martian upper atmosphere, including unexpected exchanges of gas between lower and upper atmosphere layers. The mission has also revealed complex interactions between solar wind and planet, resulting in the loss of atmospheric gas to space.
The article presents Elon Musk's vision for a self-sustaining city on Mars, requiring significant improvements in transportation costs. The CEO of SpaceX discusses the advantages of using Mars as a hub for a multi-planetary species, including its planetary options and system architecture.
Researchers propose that Mars' Lyot valley networks were carved by meltwater produced when hot ejecta interacted with an icy surface. The team estimates thousands of cubic kilometers of meltwater were generated, enough to shape the valleys.
Researchers have solved a long-standing riddle in the analysis of meteorites from Moon and Mars using high-pressure experiments at DESY's X-ray light source PETRA III. The study reveals that cristobalite can transform into seifertite under non-hydrostatic conditions, challenging previous assessments of meteorite formation conditions.
A new predictive model shows that radiation from cosmic rays can extend to healthy cells, doubling the cancer risk for astronauts on Mars missions. The study, published in Scientific Reports, highlights the need for additional research on cosmic ray exposures prior to long-term space missions.
A new study published in Nature Communications estimates that the ancient network of valleys on Mars required at least 10 times more water than previously thought to carve out. The research suggests that Mars once had a warmer climate and active hydrologic cycle, with an ocean playing a key role in shaping the planet's landscape.
The Curiosity rover mission has provided insights into a long-lasting lake on ancient Mars, which was stratified with distinct chemical and physical differences between its deep and shallow waters. The study found that the shallow water carried more oxygen at certain times, affecting mineral deposits and life's potential.
Scientists have discovered 'halos' on Mars, indicating that liquid water lingered longer on the planet than previously believed. The findings suggest that substantial groundwater was present in Gale crater's past, expanding the window for when life might have existed on Mars.
Scientists have discovered 'halos' on Mars that indicate the planet had liquid water much longer than previously believed. The finding reveals substantial amounts of groundwater were present for a longer period than thought, further expanding the window for when life might have existed on Mars.
A new scaling law has been developed to predict how objects move through sand, enabling the design of more optimized vehicles. The law, derived from common equations for granular flow, can be used to scale results between small-scale experiments and full-size vehicles.
A NASA scientist is developing an instrument to search for signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa, leveraging experience from building a Mars instrument. The Ocean Worlds investigation will analyze molecular biosignatures in surface and subsurface samples.
New evidence suggests different origins of topography on Earth, Mars and Titan. Researchers found plate tectonics to be a key factor shaping Earth's surface but not as influential on Mars and Titan.
Researchers discovered that Titan's river networks, like Mars', formed topography without plate tectonics. This finding suggests a distinct geological history for the moons of Saturn and challenges our understanding of Earth's unique surface.
Researchers analyzed drainage patterns on three planets, revealing that long-wavelength features dominate the layout of river networks. The study suggests that short-wavelength features like mountains can divert rivers, leading to poor correlation between river flow directions and large-scale landscape topography.
Researchers found that Titan's topography may grow through tidal changes in its icy crust, unlike Earth and Mars which underwent active plate tectonics. The study also sheds light on Martian topography, suggesting major features formed early in the planet's history.
Researchers found that heavy rainfall on early Mars carved out river-like channels and altered impact craters, similar to Earth's effects. The study used physics principles to understand the relationship between Martian atmosphere pressure, raindrop size, and rainfall intensity.
Research by Brown University geologists reveals that ancient Mars impacts generated tornado-like wind vortices that scoured the surface, exposing blockier surfaces beneath. The winds, which reached speeds of up to 500 miles per hour, were responsible for creating bright streaks on the Martian surface.
A team of engineers at the University of California San Diego discovered a simple, no-bake method to make bricks from Martian soil by applying pressure. The resulting bricks are stronger than steel-reinforced concrete and may be compatible with additive manufacturing.
A team led by Dr. Bill Bottke from Southwest Research Institute discovered a 400-million-year lull in Mars' giant impact history, closely paralleling the bombardment histories of the Moon, asteroid belt, and Mercury. This finding supports the Late Heavy Bombardment theory and highlights an important period in Martian evolution.
Researchers have published a detailed geological history for Northeast Syrtis Major, a region on Mars known for its striking mineral diversity. The study maps the extent of key mineral deposits across the surface and places them within the region's larger geological context. This work could help inform NASA's decision on potential land...
The study detects iron, magnesium, and sodium ions in the Martian upper atmosphere, indicating a permanent presence of metal ions. The team believes that all solar system planets with substantial atmospheres likely have metal ions.
New measurements reveal that 66% of Mars' argon has disappeared from its thin atmosphere since formation, leading to huge climate changes. The research suggests that Mars once had a thicker atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which was largely lost due to solar wind bombardment.
The study found that most of the Martian gas has been lost to space due to solar wind and radiation stripping, altering the planet's climate and habitability. The loss of argon and CO2 indicates that the atmosphere was once warm enough to support liquid water and life.
Researchers have identified a key step in the molecular process of DNA repair and found a treatment to reverse aging, improve DNA repair, and potentially mitigate effects of cosmic radiation. Human trials are set to begin within six months.
Researchers propose that debris from an asteroid impact could have formed Mars' rings, which would then break apart and re-form into moons. The model suggests that this cycle may repeat, potentially explaining sedimentary deposits found on Mars.
New NASA research on Mars volcano Arsia Mons suggests its peak volcanic activity occurred around 150 million years ago, similar to the time of Earth's Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that led to the demise of dinosaurs. The study provides valuable insights into the Red Planet's history and interior structure.
Researchers analyzed Lake Towuti sediment using visible-near infrared spectroscopy and found distinct variations in clay mineralogy over the past 40,000 years. This technique can help reconstruct ancient Martian climate history.
Researchers discovered that a mineral found in Martian meteorites could indicate a more water-rich history for the Red Planet. Synthetic whitlockite samples were subjected to shock experiments and X-ray studies, revealing partial conversion to merrillite, which is commonly found in Martian meteorites.
Researchers at Utah State University are part of a NASA project to develop technology for growing food and producing necessities on Mars. The team will focus on nitrogen fixation using bacteria and exploring the challenges of food production in a closed system.
Researchers at LSU have found evidence of a complex mantle beneath the Elysium volcanic province on Mars, with geochemical changes suggesting primary magmatic processes. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding Mars' geological history and potential hazards for future human missions.
A University of Central Florida professor is collaborating with NASA to study the extraction of metals from Martian soil using molten regolith electrolysis. This process could produce oxygen and molten metals vital for future human space exploration.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have identified a Martian valley with evidence of recent flooding, indicating water may have been present near Mars' equator in the not-too-distant past. This finding makes this location a potential geological target for detecting past life forms on the Red Planet.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that Mars' primitive atmosphere had a low CO2 level, making it inhospitable for the formation of liquid water lakes. This finding contradicts previous assumptions and suggests that the planet's climate may have been colder than previously thought.
A Martian meteorite provides clues to the evolution of Mars, with evidence suggesting that some of the longest-lived volcanoes in the solar system are located on the Red Planet. The research offers new insights into the history of volcanic activity on Mars and confirms at least 2 billion years of volcanic activity.
AGU evaluates shifting science landscape and climate concerns, including air pollution's impact on desert southwest. Researchers also explore Mars' possible warming due to greenhouse effect.
Researchers suggest early Mars was warmed by greenhouse effects from methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. This could have supported liquid water on the surface, increasing the chances of finding life. The study's findings provide new insights into Mars' climate and its potential for hosting life.
Scientists have developed a new instrument capable of detecting life with unprecedented sensitivity, potentially uncovering signs of life on Mars and other planetary bodies. The method uses capillary electrophoresis to analyze soil or ice samples for specific amino acids that could serve as indicators of biological activity.
Chemical engineers develop prototype reactor shaped like a leaf to capture sunlight and generate chemical reactions for drug production. The LSC material enhances the reaction process, increasing productivity by 40% even on cloudy days.
New research on Mars suggests that finger-like rock structures could be evidence of ancient microbes, potentially harboring past life. Thousands of geese have died due to toxic waters in Montana's Berkeley Pit, highlighting the spread of heavy metals and acid into groundwater.
For the first time, boron has been identified on the surface of Mars, indicating potential for long-term habitable groundwater in the ancient past. The discovery was made using NASA's Curiosity rover's Chemistry and Camera instrument.
A team of planetary scientists suggests that dramatic climate cycles on early Mars could have created the planet's deep canyons and extensive valley networks. The researchers propose a glacier-covered Mars with long warm periods lasting up to 10 million years, producing enough water to form these features.