Monday, February 24News That Matters

Tag: Mars

Hot Water on Ancient Mars? Tiny Martian Zircon Reveals Oldest Evidence Yet

Hot Water on Ancient Mars? Tiny Martian Zircon Reveals Oldest Evidence Yet

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space
A groundbreaking study has uncovered the oldest evidence of water on Mars dating back 4.45 billion years, just shortly after the planet formed. The discovery, rooted in analysis of a Martian meteorite called NWA 7034, suggests Mars had hot water circulating in its crust, potentially creating environments suitable for microbial life. Key Findings Researchers from Curtin University identified a microscopic zircon grain in the meteorite, which contains minerals that could only form in the presence of water. This water, however, wasn’t just ordinary it was likely scalding hot, resembling conditions in hydrothermal vents or hot springs seen on Earth. “This is the earliest evidence of water on Mars, predating Earth’s oldest water signatures,” said geologist Aaron Cavosie of Curtin Unive...
Groundbreaking Discovery: Hidden Structures Found Beneath Mars’ Surface, Hint at Active Interior

Groundbreaking Discovery: Hidden Structures Found Beneath Mars’ Surface, Hint at Active Interior

Breaking News, Disasters, Space
In a monumental discovery, scientists have unveiled massive, dense structures hidden beneath the surface of Mars, providing fresh insight into the planet’s geological history and hinting at ongoing internal activity. Presented at the Europlanet Science Congress 2024, this new revelation stems from a highly detailed gravity map of Mars, constructed using data from multiple missions, including NASA's InSIGHT and satellite observations. The findings challenge long-held beliefs about Mars’ geological processes, particularly around Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System. The map suggests that active processes within Mars' mantle could be responsible for lifting the Tharsis volcanic region, contradicting the traditional concept of flexural isostasy—a principle that states the p...