Mars
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Space & Cosmos
Image: Sunset at Gusev Crater on Mars in 2005
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Texas A&M/Cornell On May 19, 2005, NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured this stunning view as the sun set beneath the rim of Mars’ Gusev Crater. This panoramic camera (pancam) mosaic was taken at about 6:07 on the Rover’s 489th Mars Day or the evening of Sol. Spirit was ordered to continue to wake up temporarily after sending the…
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Space & Cosmos
A patient Mars rover to take a bite of the “Crocodilene” region
One of NASA’s Patience navigation cameras caught a rover truck coming from an area called “Witch Hazel Hill,” the 1,503rd Mars Day (SOL) of the mission, on May 13, 2025. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech NASA’s patient Mars Rover is exploring a new region of interest that the team calls “Krokodillen,” which may include some of Mars’ oldest rocks. The area is on…
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Space & Cosmos
Mars’ striped slopes are probably not a sign of water flow, research found
A Cassis camera riding on ESA’s Exomars Trace Gas Orbiter captures dark finger-like slope streaks that stretch across the dusty surface of Mars on the Arabian Terra. New research by Bickel and Valantinas reveals that these functions are formed through dry avalanches caused by wind and impact rather than liquid water. These active geological phenomena can transport millions of tons…
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Science
Study reveals the history and clues of Mars volcanoes, and uses the cues to bring back ancient life on Mars
A mosaic of two photographs showing the rover arm after scanning and sampling one of the rocks described on paper. The rock itself is located at the bottom right, clearly indicating the hole in which the sample was collected. Rock was given the unofficial name “Rochette” by the Patience Science Team. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU In a study co-authored by scientists at…
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Space & Cosmos
Advanced visual localization and terrain mapping enhance Zhurong Rover’s Mars exploration
The Zhurong Rover traverse was generated from visual localization. Credit: Air The collaborative research team has improved visual localization and topographic mapping techniques that allow China’s Zhurong rover to navigate and carry out scientific research on Mars. These technologies played a key role in the success of the Tianwen-1 mission, China’s first independent interplanetary exploration effort. This study was published…
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Space & Cosmos
When the glacier roamed Mars
Perspective view of the Karkasca Crater and Heartlake System from the CTX-MOLA DTM Mosaic against the global CTX mosaic. Credit: Berman & Williams (2025) The surface of Mars is known for being extremely cold, dry and irradiated. However, as its many surface features demonstrate, the red planet was once a warm, damp place with water and glaciers. Today, most of…
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Space & Cosmos
How does NASA’s perseverance help prepare Mars astronauts?
This graphic shows an illustration of the prototype astronaut suit on the left, along with a sample of the suit included in NASA’s patient rover. They are the first spacesuit material ever sent to Mars. Credit: NASA NASA’s patient rover landed on Mars in 2021, searching for signs of ancient microbes and helping scientists understand the planet’s climate and geography.…
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Science
Considering the Mars water discussion: Analysis challenges previous findings
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Over three billion years ago, Mars had intermittently held liquid water on its surface. However, after the planet lost much of its atmosphere, surface waters could no longer last. The fate of Mars’ waters is buried like ice, trapped in deep aquifers, incorporated into minerals and dissipated into space. Last week, in a letter to the…
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Space & Cosmos
Mars Time Machine: Researchers create a virtual model to decipher the climate evolution of the Red Planet
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Researchers are creating sophisticated simulations that will help you understand Mars’ climate history better and help you determine whether it can once be a life-sustaining experience. An international team of researchers is developing a model of Mars’ evolution that can unlock some of the secrets of many years, including whether they once had life. François, a…
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Space & Cosmos
Laser-powered devices tested on Earth could help detect microbial fossils on Mars
Credit: CC0 Public Domain The first life on Earth was formed 4 billion years ago as microorganisms that live in pools and oceans. What if the same thing happened on Mars? If so, how would we prove it? Scientists who want to identify evidence of fossils of life in ancient Martian microorganisms now find a way to test their hypothesis…
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