Mars Archives - Universe Today

Opportunity Starts Historic Descent of Tantalizing Martian Gully to Find Out How Was It Carved

27 Jul , 2017 by Ken Kremer

From the precipice of “Perseverance Valley” NASA’s teenaged Red Planet robot Opportunity has begun the historic first ever descent of an ancient Martian gully – that’s simultaneously visually and scientifically “tantalizing” – on an expedition to discern ‘How was it carved?’; by water or other means, Jim Green, NASA’s Planetary Sciences Chief tells Universe Today.

Hubble Sees Tiny Phobos Orbiting Mars

27 Jul , 2017 by Matt Williams

In May of 2016, when Mars was making its closest pass to Earth in over a decade, Hubble captured images that were used to make a time-lapse video of Phobos popping out from behind Mars.

Ancient Volcanoes on Mars Could Have Been the Place for Life

25 Jul , 2017 by Matt Williams

A new study by an international team of scientists has found evidence of recent volcanic activity on Mars, which could also lead to evidence of ancient life.

Turns Out, Mars Sucks Even Worse Than We Knew

12 Jul , 2017 by Matt Williams

One of the most significant finds to come from our ongoing exploration and research efforts of Mars is the fact that the planet once had a warmer, wetter environment. Between 4.2 and 3.7 billion years ago, the planet had a thicker atmosphere and was able to maintain liquid water on its surface. As such, it […]

Snake Rovers Might be the Best Way to Explore the Surface and Tunnels on Mars

22 Jun , 2017 by Matt Williams

A team from SINTEF, and with the support of the ESA is looking to develop snake robots to assist astronauts aboard the ISS and conduct missions to asteroids, the Moon and Mars.

See NASA’s Curiosity Rover Simultaneously from Orbit and Red Planet’s Surface Climbing Mount Sharp

22 Jun , 2017 by Ken Kremer

You can catch a glimpse of what its like to see NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover simultaneously high overhead from orbit and trundling down low across the Red Planet’s rocky surface as she climbs the breathtaking terrain of Mount Sharp – as seen in new images from NASA we have stitched together into a mosaic view; showing the perspective views above.

Is Human Hibernation Possible? Going to Sleep for Long Duration Spaceflight

21 Jun , 2017 by Fraser Cain

We know trips in space will take a long time. Can we go to sleep for the journey and then wake up when we arrive?

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Opportunity Reaches ‘Perseverance Valley’ Precipice – Ancient Fluid Carved Gully on Mars

17 Jun , 2017 by Ken Kremer

Now well into her 13th year roving the Red Planet, NASA’s astoundingly resilient Opportunity rover has arrived at the precipice of “Perseverance Valley” – overlooking the upper end of an ancient fluid-carved valley on Mars “possibly water-cut” that flows down into the unimaginably vast eeriness of alien Endeavour crater.

Carnival of Space. Image by Jason Major.

Carnival of Space #513

14 Jun , 2017 by Susie Murph

Welcome, come in to the 513th Carnival of Space! The Carnival is a community of space science and astronomy writers and bloggers, who submit their best work each week for your benefit. I’m Susie Murph, part of the team at Universe Today and CosmoQuest. So now, on to this week’s stories!

The HiRISE camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this unusual crater or pit on the surface of Mars. Frozen carbon dioxide gives the region its unique "Swiss cheese" like appearance. Image:NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

What Made this Mysterious Pit on Mars? Impact Crater or Natural Collapse?

9 Jun , 2017 by Evan Gough

An unusual pit on the surface of Mars is a bit of a mystery to scientists: is it the result of an impact, or of the melting of carbon dioxide ice?

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