Latest news with #PerseveranceRover
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Volcano Found Hiding 'In Plain Sight' Right Next to NASA Mars Rover
Sometimes, it's really hard to see the volcanoes for the rocks, especially if you're just a one-ton rover all alone in a remote crater on Mars. Nevertheless, a bump on the rim of Jezero Crater is indeed a volcano, scientists have ruled – and the finding, thanks to NASA's Perseverance rover, has really exciting implications. "Volcanism on Mars is intriguing for a number of reasons – from the implications it has on habitability, to better constraining the geologic history," says planetary scientist James Wray from the Georgia Institute of Technology. "Jezero Crater is one of the best studied sites on Mars. If we are just now identifying a volcano here, imagine how many more could be on Mars. Volcanoes may be even more widespread across Mars than we thought." Wray noticed the mountain, called Jezero Mons, back in 2007, but there wasn't enough evidence to support the interpretation that it was a volcano. Then Perseverance started finding volcanic rocks on the crater floor. Suspicions grew that Jezero Mons may have burst upward from Mars' molten interior. To confirm speculations, a team led by planetary scientist Sara Cuevas-Quiñones of Georgia Tech decided to conduct a thorough investigation, looking for known characteristics of volcanoes here on Earth. "We used data from the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, and Perseverance Rover, all in combination to puzzle this out," Wray explains. Their verdict? Jezero Mons is volcanic. It even has a volcanic crater. It's not active now, and likely hasn't been for a very long time, but this identification will make Perseverance's findings easier to interpret. There's another interesting takeaway: Jezero Crater was once a lake. If it was sitting right next to a steaming pile of active volcano, the conditions may have been warm enough in the lake for life. "The coalescence of these two types of systems makes Jezero more interesting than ever," Wray says. "We have samples of incredible sedimentary rocks that could be from a habitable region alongside igneous rocks with important scientific value." The findings are published in Communications Earth & Environment. NASA Satellite Glimpses Giant Volcano Peeking Above The Clouds of Mars The Universe's Missing Black Holes May Have Been Located Mysteriously Magnetic Moon Rocks Might Have an Explosive Origin Story
Gizmodo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
Astronomers Find Hidden Volcano on Mars
Mars's marred surface consists of craters, canyons, and mysterious formations that hint at a complex geological past. Scientists recently studied a tantalizing feature that could shed light on the planet's elusive history. A mountain perched on the rim of Mars' Jezero Crater may actually be a volcano hiding in plain sight, according to a new study. This peak, called Jezero Mons, could offer new insight into the Red Planet's geologic history and the potential for ancient Martian life, the researchers say. The findings, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment in May, validate long-held suspicions that Jezero Mons is volcanic. Using data from three Mars orbiters and NASA's Perseverance rover, researchers found striking similarities between this mountain and explosive volcanoes previously identified on Mars and Earth. 'Jezero Crater is one of the best studied sites on Mars. If we are just now identifying a volcano here, imagine how many more could be on Mars,' said corresponding author James Wray, a professor of astrogeology and remote sensing at Georgia Tech, in a university statement. 'Volcanoes may be even more widespread across Mars than we thought.' Wray has had a hunch that Jezero Mons is a volcano ever since he first laid eyes on it in 2007. 'I was looking at low-resolution photos of the area and noticed a mountain on the crater's rim,' he recalled in the statement. 'To me, it looked like a volcano, but it was difficult to get additional images.' At the time, scientists had only recently discovered the Jezero crater. Once scientists determined that it was likely an ancient lake bed, imaging efforts focused on its water history on the side opposite Jezero Mons. Then, shortly after NASA's Perseverance rover landed in Jezero Crater in 2021, there was a break in the case. This rover gathers samples from the Martian surface to aid the search for past life, investigate the planet's climate and geology, and pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet. Before long, data from Perseverance showed that the crater's floor was not sedimentary, as one would expect from a previously-flooded area. It was actually made of volcanic rock. Wray wondered if this igneous rock could have come from Jezero Mons. He teamed up with lead author Sara Cuevas-Quiñones—a graduate student at Brown University who was working with Wray as part of a summer undergraduate research program at the time—to try to answer this question. Wray, Cuevas-Quiñones, and their colleagues used a combination of data from the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, and the Perseverance rover to 'puzzle this out,' Wray said. This wealth of data allowed the researchers to gain a deeper understanding of Jezero Mons' characteristics and compare it to other known volcanoes. They found that the size and shape of this peak is similar to Martian volcanoes such as Zephyria and Apollinarus Tholi, as well as Mount Sidley in Antarctica. What's more, the researchers determined that the surface of Jezero Mons lacks impact craters and does not retain heat well—two signs that it may be covered in volcanic ash. Parts of the peak's northwestern flank also resembled edges of past lava flows that appear to reach the crater floor, which could explain why Perseverance found igneous rock there. While this doesn't definitively prove that Jezero Mons is a volcano, it's some of the strongest evidence experts have so far. The findings mark an intriguing development in the search for life in Jezero Crater. A volcano located so close to this ancient lake might have generated hydrothermal activity—a source of energy that could have sustained past life. Now, the researchers await the return of Perseverance's samples. Radioisotope dating can determine the precise age of the igneous rocks this rover collected, which could then be used to more accurately estimate Jezero Crater's age, according to the researchers. This would offer valuable insights into the geological history of the Red Planet. Currently, NASA and its international partners have no solid plan to get this collection of rocks and dust back to Earth, but the agency is reviewing two Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission strategies with a goal of confirming the program in 2026. President Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal, however, threatens to derail this program. If passed by Congress, the budget would terminate the MSR mission on the grounds that it is 'grossly over budget' and its goals can be achieved by human missions to Mars. Wray is hopeful that he will get his hands on Perseverance's finds one way or another. 'If these samples are returned to Earth, we can do incredible, groundbreaking science with them,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
04-06-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Event challenges students to come up with ideas that innovate
When Alejandro Muniz asked his audience if they like money and they enthusiastically responded 'Yes,' he had a sobering reminder ready. 'So does the government.' Maintaining space vehicles is an expensive endeavor in the best of times, especially the Mars Rovers, which eventually run out of power during their missions, Muniz explained during the ECIER Foundation's Innvovation Showcase on May 29. If the rovers could self-maintain, however — perhaps by having self-cleaning solar panels, for example — the wear-and-tear could be lessened, and NASA could save itself — and therefore taxpayers — millions. With his remote-control Perseverance Rover replica in tow, Muniz wowed the judges and took first place — with an award of $750 — in the showcase held at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. Thirteen students ranging from 8th grade to 12th grade brought a wide range of solutions to compete, ranging from Muniz's space solution to a wearable health device that would alert people to changes in their blood indicating blood cancers. Meleah Holloway, a senior at Israel School of Excellence in Gary, created a functioning website explaining her idea, which is geared toward hospitals and medical professionals, and would cost them $249. 'I've always had a passion for medical sciences, and I've lost people to cancer, so I zoned into (how it's treated),' Holloway said. 'I started out wanting to be a neurologist, but I went to Maryland and worked with other students on the Chemo Bot.' Timerah Moore, an 8th grader at Israel School of Excellence, tapped into the fashion market with Knitting Gritty, crocheted handbags with a tight weave that make it impossible for your items to fall out. She offers the bag in two sizes and is able to whip one out in 30 minutes, she said. 'My little cousin taught me how; she came to stay over one time and brought her stuff, and I thought, 'That was crazy cool,' so I let my mind go with the flow and put my mind to work,' she told the audience. 'I love to see the smile on people's faces (when they purchase a bag) — especially since you don't want to spend $85.' Marianna Owens and Autumn Staples partnered up and pitched a full-length 'virtual assistant' mirror that would scan a person's health and choose their outfits for the day, among other amenities. The two had blast working together. 'Communication is important, as is showing up for your partner,' Owens, a senior at West Side Leadership Academy, said. She and Staples placed second, while Braylen Chafen, a junior at East Chicago Central placed third. Judges graded the students on their preparedness, presentation and product. Earlier in the evening, the following ECIER students earned several thousand dollars worth of scholarships: Chafen, $4,000; Kennedi Edgington, $4,000; Cheyenne Whitt, $4,000; Holloway, $3,000; Jaydon Phillips, $3,000; Staples, $3,500.00; and Owens, $3,500.
South China Morning Post
22-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Nasa's Mars Perseverance snaps a selfie as a Martian dust devil blows by
The latest selfie by Nasa's Perseverance rover at Mars has captured an unexpected guest: a Martian dust devil. Resembling a small pale puff, the twirling dust devil popped up 5km (three miles) behind the rover during this month's photo shoot. Released on Wednesday, the selfie is a composite of 59 images taken by the camera on the end of the rover's robotic arm, according to Nasa. It took an hour to perform all the arm movements necessary to gather the images, 'but it's worth it,' said Megan Wu, an imaging scientist from Malin Space Science Systems, which built the camera. 03:06 Babies on Mars? Dutch firm conducts space sex research Babies on Mars? Dutch firm conducts space sex research 'Having the dust devil in the background makes it a classic,' Wu said in a statement.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists find subtle clues ancient Mars had rainy days, too
For the past four years, NASA's Perseverance rover has rambled over a region of Mars where scientists say a strong river once emptied into a crater, creating a large delta. But for that to have happened, a lot of water would have gushed — something difficult to explain if the Red Planet were always frozen. Computer simulations show that ancient Mars likely experienced regular rain and snow, which helped shape vast networks of river valleys and lakes. The distribution of these land features lines up better with precipitation models than merely the effects of melted ice caps, according to a new paper published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. The research, performed by geologists at the University of Colorado in Boulder, argues that our planetary neighbor, on average 140 million miles away in space, was warm and wet billions of years ago, challenging a long-held belief that early Mars was mostly cold and icy. Most scientists agree that at least some water existed on the surface during a period about 4 billion years ago, but where the water came from has been up for debate, said Amanda Steckel, who led the study as a doctoral student. "We see these valleys beginning at a large range of elevations," Steckel said in a statement. "It's hard to explain that with just ice." SEE ALSO: A NASA rover just exposed something on Mars that eluded orbiters NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft created this topographical map of a region near the planet's equator with its Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter. Credit: NASA The researchers created a digital version of part of Mars and tested different climate scenarios. In some computer simulations, they added widespread rain or snow. For others, they only tried melting down polar ice. Then, they used the software to simulate what would happen if that water flowed for thousands of years. Their goal was to determine whether ancient Mars may have had a more Earth-like climate, at least for a while. The results showed when precipitation was part of the climate, valleys and streams formed in many different regions at varying elevation points. When water came only from melted ice, the valleys mostly formed in the highlands, in close proximity to where the ice caps would have been. The team compared the simulation data to real images from NASA spacecraft that have observed Mars from orbit. The patterns created by rain or snow more closely matched what is actually seen on the Martian surface. Mars' oldest terrains appear to have eroded into branching valleys, similar to regions of Earth where rain and snow have caused runoff. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Univ. of Arizona "Water from these ice caps starts to form valleys only around a narrow band of elevations," Steckel said. "Whereas if you have distributed precipitation, you can have valley heads forming everywhere." Today, snow occasionally falls on Mars, but only in the coldest extremes, according to NASA: at the poles and under cloud cover at night. So far there's no photographic evidence of Martian snowfall — clouds obscure the cameras on spacecraft — but other instruments are capable of detecting it. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, for example, has the Mars Climate Sounder, which has collected data on carbon dioxide snow — aka dry ice — as it fell to the ground. The Phoenix lander also used a laser-based tool to spot snow made of water near the Martian north pole in 2008. The team still doesn't fully grasp how Mars could have stayed warm enough for rain or snow, especially since the young sun was about 25 percent dimmer than it is today. Despite the mystery, geologist and study coauthor Brian Hynek says without rain, landforms like Perseverance's Jezero Crater just don't make sense. The dried delta, for example, features scattered boulders. "You'd need meters deep of flowing water to deposit those kinds of boulders," he said.
