Editor’s note: On Earth pits – large caves – usually formed as chambers inside of limestone due to water erosion and collapses – can host some amazing ecosystems with their […]
HiRISE
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Mars, Press Release
A Non-Water Origin For Those Streaks On Mars
As if someone has been sweeping the surface of Mars with a broom, the origin of odd, streaked slopes has intrigued scientists for decades.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Status Report
Martian Sandstone In West Candor Chasma
Candor Chasma in central Valles Marineris is filled with light-toned layered deposits thought to be sandstones, perhaps formed in an ancient wet and potentially habitable environment.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Status Report
Viewing Lobate Patterns On Mars And Earth As Climate Modulated Fluid-like Instabilities
Lobate features found on high-latitude slopes on Mars resemble terrestrial cold-climate soil patterns known as solifluction lobes.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Status Report
Mars Mapping: Gullies On The Northern Crater Slope In Terra Sirenum
This approximately 60-kilometer diameter crater is located in Terra Sirenum in the Southern Highlands of Mars. The crater is gullied on its north, west and southwest slopes and numerous deposits […]
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Spots Curiosity Rover Making Tracks to Next Science Stop
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has never been camera shy, having been seen in selfies and images taken from space. But on Feb. 28 — the 4,466th Martian day, or sol, […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Unburied Treasure: Rover Researchers Find Unexpected Minerals On Mars
Sometimes scientists must dig and work and sweat to make scientific discoveries. And sometimes a robot rolls over a rock that turns out to be a revelation.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Documenting The First Mars Mission Soil Samples
A new paper released today documents the first soil, airfall dust, and rock fragment samples collected by NASA for return from Mars. We checked in with the UNLV astrobiologist leading […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Mars Perseverance Collects A Noachian-aged Outcrop Sample
The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover continues to live up to its name, pushing forward in search of ancient Martian secrets. Following a brief period of system verification and remote testing, […]
Posted inCaves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Proposed Route: Mars Rover Perseverance Northern Rim Science Campaign
This map was made using data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera as well as the European Space Agency’s (ESA) High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC).