Japan has launched a spacecraft on an ambitious mission to explore the mysterious moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos. The mission aims to uncover the origins of these two small, enigmatic moons and provide new insights into the formation and evolution of the Martian system.

Japan launches spacecraft to mysterious moons of Mars

A Japanese spacecraft was on its way to one of Mars's moons on a world-first mission to retrieve samples, potentially helping unlock the origins of the Solar System and life on Earth. The probe intends to touch down, scoop up ancient rock samples and return it to Earth laboratories by 2031. These samples could definitively prove if Mars was once wet, fertile, and alive.

Mission to bring alien rocks to earth: Wildest deep space heist in human history

An experiment on the effects of space environment on human body has thrown up a lot of bad news that can whitewash plans to conquer Mars and beyond. The study done by researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and published in PLoS One, shows that radiation and weightlessness can destroy the human heart and increase the chances of developing cancer.&nbsp;NASA developed a protocol called hindlimb unloading (HLU) to simulate weightlessness in rats. A harness was used to lift their back legs off the ground at a 30 degree angle for thirty days. This led to much of the fluids in the body rushing towards their heads, taking off the weight off their lower bodies. This is as close as they could come to mimicking astronauts in microgravity.&nbsp;To recreate radiation on Earth, they utilised the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This lab can simulate the radiation environment as it is outside the Earth's atmosphere.&nbsp;&nbsp;The rats were “unloaded” for five days and hit with extreme high radiation levels for a few minutes. They remained suspended for 25 more days. The harness was then removed and the rats for monitored for a year, which is equal to nearly 25 human years.<h2>Rat hearts bore a major chunk of the brunt</h2>The study focussed on how the simulation affected their hearts. Scientists found that 1.5 Gray of absorbed radiation led the rats to develop perivascular fibrosis, a type of scar tissue around the coronary vessels that feed blood to the heart. This scar doubled in 270 days, squeezing the blood vessels and increasing the chances of heart attack. The effect was entirely caused by radiation.&nbsp;When the rats were exposed to lower radiation, equal to the radiation exposure over the course of a three year mission to Mars, the scarring wasn't visible. However, 83 per cent of the rats developed it after a year. This means that the scarring would take decades to become visible in humans.&nbsp;Their immune system also took a hit, with their spleens losing two thirds of its Natural Killer (NK) cells that wipe out virus-infected and potentially cancerous cells. This was the result of both microgravity and radiation.&nbsp;Sequencing of the genomes of their white blood cells showed permanent mutations in a number of genes 235 days after exposure to the radiation. Some of these genes are tied to Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) which appears as we age because of a single mutated blood cell. This mutated blood cell carries with it an increased risk of leukemia and quadruples the risk of heart attacks and strokes.&nbsp;Even though the study has its limitations, especially since all the radiation was delivered quickly, it is still bad news for human dream of long-term space flight and reaching the vast expanse of the universe.&nbsp;

Mars is not an ideal environment for humans, but the journey to the Red Planet itself will devastate the human body even before astronauts land on its surface. A study has found that our hearts will not be able to survive the trip.  

An experiment on the effects of space environment on human body has thrown up a lot of bad news that can whitewash plans to conquer Mars and beyond. The study done by researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and published in PLoS One, shows that radiation and weightlessness can destroy the human heart and increase the chances of developing cancer. NASA developed a protocol called hindlimb unloading (HLU) to simulate weightlessness in rats. A harness was used to lift their back legs off the ground at a 30 degree angle for thirty days. This led to much of the fluids in the body rushing towards their heads, taking off the weight off their lower bodies. This is as close as they could come to mimicking astronauts in microgravity. To recreate radiation on Earth, they utilised the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This lab can simulate the radiation environment as it is outside the Earth's atmosphere. The rats were “unloaded” for five days and hit with extreme high radiation levels for a few minutes. They remained suspended for 25 more days. The harness was then removed and the rats for monitored for a year, which is equal to nearly 25 human years. Rat hearts bore a major chunk of the brunt The study focussed on how the simulation affected their hearts. Scientists found that 1.5 Gray of absorbed radiation led the rats to develop perivascular fibrosis, a type of scar tissue around the coronary vessels that feed blood to the heart. This scar doubled in 270 days, squeezing the blood vessels and increasing the chances of heart attack. The effect was entirely caused by radiation. When the rats were exposed to lower radiation, equal to the radiation exposure over the course of a three year mission to Mars, the scarring wasn't visible. However, 83 per cent of the rats developed it after a year. This means that the scarring would take decades to become visible in humans. Their immune system also took a hit, with their spleens losing two thirds of its Natural Killer (NK) cells that wipe out virus-infected and potentially cancerous cells. This was the result of both microgravity and radiation. Sequencing of the genomes of their white blood cells showed permanent mutations in a number of genes 235 days after exposure to the radiation. Some of these genes are tied to Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) which appears as we age because of a single mutated blood cell. This mutated blood cell carries with it an increased risk of leukemia and quadruples the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Even though the study has its limitations, especially since all the radiation was delivered quickly, it is still bad news for human dream of long-term space flight and reaching the vast expanse of the universe.

Mars is not an ideal environment for humans, but the journey to the Red Planet itself will devastate the human body even before astronauts land on its surface. A study has found that our hearts will not be able to survive the trip. &nbsp;

Mars is not for man: Human heart is too weak to survive the trip, study shows

Sending robots to Mars is vastly easier and cheaper than sending humans. Robots do not need heavy life support, oxygen, or a return trip. Meanwhile, a crewed mission could cost up to $600 billion due to extreme safety and fuel requirements.

Sending robots to Mars is vastly easier and cheaper than sending humans. Robots do not need heavy life support, oxygen, or a return trip. Meanwhile, a crewed mission could cost up to $600 billion due to extreme safety and fuel requirements.

Is sending robots to Mars easier than sending humans?

NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered holes on the Martian surface which are different from the ones made by meteors. Mars has several such holes, but the ones recently discovered are strange and different from anything else seen in other parts of the planet. The discovery was made in the Valle Grande, a broad valley cutting through Mount Sharp that sits inside the Gale Crater. NASA said that while meteorites regularly punch holes into the red, dusty planet, they are not sure how the pits in Valle Grande formed.&nbsp;NASA says the holes are broad and shallow, and different from anything seen in the past. Dr Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator, detailed the discovery in a blog post. She said this particular section of rocks has been affected by certain processes which they will try to understand in the near future.<h2>How similar holes form on Earth</h2> On our planet, small holes form in the bedrock when a tough stone or anything else that is harder gets stuck in a bed of softer rock. They eventually get washed away or removed after breaking apart, leaving behind impressions. But NASA scientists did not find the objects that would have left these holes on Mars. "The pits of this week were much broader and shallower than past features and were not accompanied by obvious objects that were once in the pits," Minitti wrote.&nbsp;The holes were photographed closely by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), while the Mastcam camera took several overlapping images of the surrounding region. The space agency will use these images to create a three-dimensional map of the pits and measure their shapes and depth to understand how they were formed.<h2>What the holes can tell about the history of Mars</h2>&nbsp;The rover also showed that the nearby layers of rock bed changed rapidly in appearance. Certain tough grey areas resist erosion in a different manner compared to their surroundings. Scientists think this could be evidence that the conditions under which these layers of rock were laid down millions or billions of years ago underwent rapid transformation.&nbsp;This region on Mars is of particular interest to NASA because the Gale Crater here is believed to have been formed by an asteroid impact around three billion years ago. Mount Sharp is located right at the centre of the crater and is 5.5 km high. The sedimentary layers in the mountain are believed to hide the record of the environmental conditions when each layer was deposited.

Inside the Gale Crater on Mars are strange holes that NASA says were not made by meteorites or other such impacts. Ideally, the hard objects that made these impressions should be present, but NASA found nothing. The pits are now another mystery on Mars.

NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered holes on the Martian surface which are different from the ones made by meteors. Mars has several such holes, but the ones recently discovered are strange and different from anything else seen in other parts of the planet. The discovery was made in the Valle Grande, a broad valley cutting through Mount Sharp that sits inside the Gale Crater. NASA said that while meteorites regularly punch holes into the red, dusty planet, they are not sure how the pits in Valle Grande formed. NASA says the holes are broad and shallow, and different from anything seen in the past. Dr Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator, detailed the discovery in a blog post. She said this particular section of rocks has been affected by certain processes which they will try to understand in the near future. How similar holes form on Earth On our planet, small holes form in the bedrock when a tough stone or anything else that is harder gets stuck in a bed of softer rock. They eventually get washed away or removed after breaking apart, leaving behind impressions. But NASA scientists did not find the objects that would have left these holes on Mars. "The pits of this week were much broader and shallower than past features and were not accompanied by obvious objects that were once in the pits," Minitti wrote. The holes were photographed closely by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), while the Mastcam camera took several overlapping images of the surrounding region. The space agency will use these images to create a three-dimensional map of the pits and measure their shapes and depth to understand how they were formed. What the holes can tell about the history of Mars The rover also showed that the nearby layers of rock bed changed rapidly in appearance. Certain tough grey areas resist erosion in a different manner compared to their surroundings. Scientists think this could be evidence that the conditions under which these layers of rock were laid down millions or billions of years ago underwent rapid transformation. This region on Mars is of particular interest to NASA because the Gale Crater here is believed to have been formed by an asteroid impact around three billion years ago. Mount Sharp is located right at the centre of the crater and is 5.5 km high. The sedimentary layers in the mountain are believed to hide the record of the environmental conditions when each layer was deposited.

Inside the Gale Crater on Mars are strange holes that NASA says were not made by meteorites or other such impacts. Ideally, the hard objects that made these impressions should be present, but NASA found nothing. The pits are now another mystery on Mars.

'Hole' new mystery on Mars: NASA finds strange pits inside Gale Crater and no explanation

Billions of years before life, oceans and continents, the young Earth suffered a planet-sized collision. A new Southwest Research Institute-led study suggests that a Mars-sized body could have smashed into Earth and produced an intact Moon in as little as five hours. The finding could dramatically change our understanding of one of the Solar System's most violent events and the mysterious birth of our Moon.


A Mars-sized world smashed Earth, five hours later, the Moon was born

Humans are trying to ascertain how to live and survive on Mars, a planet some think is the future of humanity. Whether that turns out to be true or not, a study has shown that this would at least be true for the microbes that reach the Red Planet from Earth. Scientists say disease-causing microbes that live in and on the human body will not only survive but also thrive on Mars. Tommaso Zaccaria of Radboud University in the Netherlands writes in a thesis, "Evaluating how microorganisms respond and tolerate space conditions is essential to ensure the safe access and exploration of space."&nbsp;His paper mentions four pathogens which were added to a simulated Martian environment in the laboratory. There was extremely low pressure, dryness, high ultraviolet radiation and a high concentration of salty water with the highly toxic substance perchlorate. The microbes were tested in each of these environments, and Zaccaria found that some of the microbes survived. Some of them were able to live for 16 days in desiccation, the extreme dry conditions.<h2>Microbes could find a saviour in Martian regolith</h2>When all of the conditions were combined, the survival of the microbes dropped from 16 days to only one. However, this is not the whole truth. Martian regolith, or the soil, might actually support the growth of microbes since small amounts of water hide in there. Microbes could also use the soil to hide from the ultraviolet radiation. But the regolith also has perchlorate, an extremely toxic substance.&nbsp;The initial part of the experiment showed that the microbes shrank and became almost invisible to human immune systems. They were exposed to a human immune cell called peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in another experiment, where the cells produced fewer cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Some of the bacteria survived by adapting to the cells. This could potentially make them even more pathogenic or deadly. This would spell doom for astronauts hoping to live on Mars someday.<h2>Effects of Martian soil on human health</h2>Zaccaria also tested the effects of regolith on human health and found that the cells experienced local tissue inflammation and neutrophilia. This happened because of tissue damage, which resulted in increased white blood cell activity. Some signs seen before chronic respiratory disease also emerged. "The studies of this thesis have shown how the selected microorganisms can tolerate space conditions," the thesis reads. The study is vital in showing how pathogens from Earth could become deadlier on Mars. &nbsp;

A study shows that Mars might provide a supportive environment for microbes that will reach the Red Planet with the astronauts. They will become deadlier and even more pathogenic, spelling doom for humans hoping to live on Mars one day.

Humans are trying to ascertain how to live and survive on Mars, a planet some think is the future of humanity. Whether that turns out to be true or not, a study has shown that this would at least be true for the microbes that reach the Red Planet from Earth. Scientists say disease-causing microbes that live in and on the human body will not only survive but also thrive on Mars. Tommaso Zaccaria of Radboud University in the Netherlands writes in a thesis, "Evaluating how microorganisms respond and tolerate space conditions is essential to ensure the safe access and exploration of space." His paper mentions four pathogens which were added to a simulated Martian environment in the laboratory. There was extremely low pressure, dryness, high ultraviolet radiation and a high concentration of salty water with the highly toxic substance perchlorate. The microbes were tested in each of these environments, and Zaccaria found that some of the microbes survived. Some of them were able to live for 16 days in desiccation, the extreme dry conditions. Microbes could find a saviour in Martian regolith When all of the conditions were combined, the survival of the microbes dropped from 16 days to only one. However, this is not the whole truth. Martian regolith, or the soil, might actually support the growth of microbes since small amounts of water hide in there. Microbes could also use the soil to hide from the ultraviolet radiation. But the regolith also has perchlorate, an extremely toxic substance. The initial part of the experiment showed that the microbes shrank and became almost invisible to human immune systems. They were exposed to a human immune cell called peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in another experiment, where the cells produced fewer cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Some of the bacteria survived by adapting to the cells. This could potentially make them even more pathogenic or deadly. This would spell doom for astronauts hoping to live on Mars someday. Effects of Martian soil on human health Zaccaria also tested the effects of regolith on human health and found that the cells experienced local tissue inflammation and neutrophilia. This happened because of tissue damage, which resulted in increased white blood cell activity. Some signs seen before chronic respiratory disease also emerged. "The studies of this thesis have shown how the selected microorganisms can tolerate space conditions," the thesis reads. The study is vital in showing how pathogens from Earth could become deadlier on Mars.

A study shows that Mars might provide a supportive environment for microbes that will reach the Red Planet with the astronauts. They will become deadlier and even more pathogenic, spelling doom for humans hoping to live on Mars one day.

Bad News for Musk: Earthly microbes could turn deadlier on Mars, spelling doom for astronauts

A photo taken by NASA's Opportunity rover in 2014 is circulating on social media, showing a figure that resembles a gun. This has led to theories of extraterrestrial life being present on the Red Planet. One researcher, who previously shared the photo, said that the "alien gun" is about one foot long, the Daily Mail reported. Scott C Waring, the Martian researcher from "UFO Sighting Daily," claims that there were many more photos of the object, but NASA "deleted" them. He shared the photo on X on Tuesday, making the claim.&nbsp;Earlier, he called the object "incredible" in a blog post and wrote, "The exact location of the gun is at SOL 3773, which is between Mt Edgecumbe and Wdowiak Ridge." NASA's Opportunity rover scanned Mars for 14 years before going silent in 2018. It landed in a small impact crater known as Eagle Crater on the Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004. In 2018, a severe dust storm shrouded the rover, blocking sunlight from reaching its panels.&nbsp;NASA has found signs of past life on Mars on several occasions, but it has yet to conclude anything. However, it has made it clear that the dusty planet has no life today. What Waring thinks is a gun on Mars is likely just a rock. In our daily lives, we often see faces and objects in regular things, most commonly in clouds. This is what Waring is also picking on.<h2>Why would aliens use gun made for human hands, netizens ask</h2>&nbsp;Netizens are also questioning why Martians would have guns. They are sure that it is just a rock. "Why would aliens have guns designed for human hands and fingers? lol," a user said. This is not the first time that Waring has shared a photo from Mars claiming it to be an artificial object. Once, he posted a photo that he said was a shoe. "While looking through some Mars rover photos, I found a lone shoe on the edge of the crater," he wrote. Waring even gave a backstory to the shoe, saying it probably belonged to a species that once inhabited the Red Planet, and now it is the only piece of evidence of its existence.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A Martian researcher has shared a photo from the Red Planet in which an object shaped like a gun is visible. He thinks it is an alien gun, while netizens are confused about why would aliens use a gun made for human hands.

A photo taken by NASA's Opportunity rover in 2014 is circulating on social media, showing a figure that resembles a gun. This has led to theories of extraterrestrial life being present on the Red Planet. One researcher, who previously shared the photo, said that the "alien gun" is about one foot long, the Daily Mail reported. Scott C Waring, the Martian researcher from "UFO Sighting Daily," claims that there were many more photos of the object, but NASA "deleted" them. He shared the photo on X on Tuesday, making the claim. Earlier, he called the object "incredible" in a blog post and wrote, "The exact location of the gun is at SOL 3773, which is between Mt Edgecumbe and Wdowiak Ridge." NASA's Opportunity rover scanned Mars for 14 years before going silent in 2018. It landed in a small impact crater known as Eagle Crater on the Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004. In 2018, a severe dust storm shrouded the rover, blocking sunlight from reaching its panels. NASA has found signs of past life on Mars on several occasions, but it has yet to conclude anything. However, it has made it clear that the dusty planet has no life today. What Waring thinks is a gun on Mars is likely just a rock. In our daily lives, we often see faces and objects in regular things, most commonly in clouds. This is what Waring is also picking on. Why would aliens use gun made for human hands, netizens ask Netizens are also questioning why Martians would have guns. They are sure that it is just a rock. "Why would aliens have guns designed for human hands and fingers? lol," a user said. This is not the first time that Waring has shared a photo from Mars claiming it to be an artificial object. Once, he posted a photo that he said was a shoe. "While looking through some Mars rover photos, I found a lone shoe on the edge of the crater," he wrote. Waring even gave a backstory to the shoe, saying it probably belonged to a species that once inhabited the Red Planet, and now it is the only piece of evidence of its existence.

A Martian researcher has shared a photo from the Red Planet in which an object shaped like a gun is visible. He thinks it is an alien gun, while netizens are confused about why would aliens use a gun made for human hands.

Martian researcher spots 'alien gun' in 12-year-old photo, netizens say, 'why would...'

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a stunning panoramic view of Mars with clear skies in the background. The photo is of a location named "Falbreen" and was produced after piecing together 96 different images. It shows the rocky surface of the Red Planet, with tall hills in the background and extremely clear blue skies (enhanced-colour version). The actual natural photo shows the rusty red colour of the planet's sky. The stunning and sharp 360-degree panorama was taken on May 26, 2025 and released by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Captured by the Mastcam-Z instrument, it covers an expanse spreading up to 65 kilometres. Mastcam-Z can zoom in on specific regions targeted by the rover and is also enabled to take 3D images and video.&nbsp; The real catch of the photo is just how clear and devoid of dust the Martian sky was at the time the photo was taken. "The relatively dust-free skies provide a clear view of the surrounding terrain," Jim Bell, Mastcam-Z’s principal investigator at Arizona State University in Tempe, said. Talking about the enhanced version, Bell said, "In this particular mosaic, we have enhanced the colour contrast, which accentuates the differences in the terrain and sky."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/six-red-dwarf-stars-ate-rocky-worlds-like-earth-the-fingerprints-exposed-them-1780395245368">Six red dwarf stars ate rocky worlds like Earth. The 'fingerprints' exposed them</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260603/image-1780461159341.webp"></figure>Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260603/image-1780461170216.webp"></figure>Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS<h2>What does the new photo from Mars show?</h2> The latest photo from Mars is filled with several features and items spread across the terrain.1. The 43rd Abrasion Patch: Left of centre and near the bottom, a bright white, 2-inch circle can be seen. The top of this object was ground by Perseverance on May 22, 2025, using its diamond-dust-tipped Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT). Dust was removed from the top layer to analyse the fresh rock beneath. The team on Earth got a closer look to decide whether to take a core sample and store it in the rover's sample tubes.&nbsp;2. Float rock: A large rock is visible on top of a dark, crescent-shaped sand ripple to the right of centre in the image. It's a float rock, named so because it is believed to have formed in one location and then transported to a new location by processes such as landslide, water or wind. NASA says it was about 14 feet away from the rover at the time the image was captured.&nbsp;3. Geologic Contact Line: About halfway up the horizon, the landscape splits in half, and a clear boundary dividing the image can be seen. The lighter, flat rocks closer to the rover are rich in the mineral olivine, while the darker rocks further away transition into older, clay-bearing units. &nbsp;&nbsp;4. Rover Tracks: On the far right edge, the tracks left by Perseverance's wheels are visible. They turn left about 300 feet away and disappear behind a previous science stop named "Kenmore." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Perseverance rover has been exploring a region named Falbreen on Mars. Last year, it captured a panorama of the landscape, revealing a clear red sky minus any dust. The colour-enhanced version shows blue skies, similar to what is seen on Earth.

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a stunning panoramic view of Mars with clear skies in the background. The photo is of a location named "Falbreen" and was produced after piecing together 96 different images. It shows the rocky surface of the Red Planet, with tall hills in the background and extremely clear blue skies (enhanced-colour version). The actual natural photo shows the rusty red colour of the planet's sky. The stunning and sharp 360-degree panorama was taken on May 26, 2025 and released by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Captured by the Mastcam-Z instrument, it covers an expanse spreading up to 65 kilometres. Mastcam-Z can zoom in on specific regions targeted by the rover and is also enabled to take 3D images and video. The real catch of the photo is just how clear and devoid of dust the Martian sky was at the time the photo was taken. "The relatively dust-free skies provide a clear view of the surrounding terrain," Jim Bell, Mastcam-Z’s principal investigator at Arizona State University in Tempe, said. Talking about the enhanced version, Bell said, "In this particular mosaic, we have enhanced the colour contrast, which accentuates the differences in the terrain and sky." Also Read: Six red dwarf stars ate rocky worlds like Earth. The 'fingerprints' exposed them Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS What does the new photo from Mars show? The latest photo from Mars is filled with several features and items spread across the terrain. 1. The 43rd Abrasion Patch: Left of centre and near the bottom, a bright white, 2-inch circle can be seen. The top of this object was ground by Perseverance on May 22, 2025, using its diamond-dust-tipped Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT). Dust was removed from the top layer to analyse the fresh rock beneath. The team on Earth got a closer look to decide whether to take a core sample and store it in the rover's sample tubes. 2. Float rock: A large rock is visible on top of a dark, crescent-shaped sand ripple to the right of centre in the image. It's a float rock, named so because it is believed to have formed in one location and then transported to a new location by processes such as landslide, water or wind. NASA says it was about 14 feet away from the rover at the time the image was captured. 3. Geologic Contact Line: About halfway up the horizon, the landscape splits in half, and a clear boundary dividing the image can be seen. The lighter, flat rocks closer to the rover are rich in the mineral olivine, while the darker rocks further away transition into older, clay-bearing units. 4. Rover Tracks: On the far right edge, the tracks left by Perseverance's wheels are visible. They turn left about 300 feet away and disappear behind a previous science stop named "Kenmore."

Perseverance rover has been exploring a region named Falbreen on Mars. Last year, it captured a panorama of the landscape, revealing a clear red sky minus any dust. The colour-enhanced version shows blue skies, similar to what is seen on Earth.

Check out these 4 features in the new 360-degree Mars photo taken by NASA's Perseverance rover

The Psyche mission, headed for Asteroid 16 Psyche, has captured a never-before-seen view of Mars on its journey through space. Looking at it from a high angle, it caught the Red Planet from a unique perspective, capturing an illuminated crescent. The probe is travelling to the outer part of the main asteroid belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter. With millions of asteroids in the belt, Psyche pulled interest because of its reflective metal surface, which showed that it is a large metallic asteroid.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scientists believe it could be the core of an ancient planetary rock which did not get to turn into a planet. Launched in 2023, Psyche will travel 3.6 billion kilometres to reach the asteroid in 2029. The journey included a Mars flyby to use the gravitational force of the planet to slingshot the probe on a trajectory towards Mars while saving fuel.Also Read: <a href="Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years">Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years</a><h2>Mars gravity boost&nbsp;</h2>During the manoeuvre, the Psyche spacecraft came within 4,609 kilometres of the Martian surface. “We’ve confirmed that Mars gave the spacecraft a 1,000-mile-per-hour boost and shifted its orbital plane by about 1 degree relative to the Sun,” Don Han, Psyche’s navigation lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said. The team also used this opportunity to test the systems and camera on board the spacecraft, which took pictures of the Red Planet. From a high vantage point, the probe saw a red crescent.&nbsp;&nbsp;After flying away, it also snapped a nearly "full Mars" view. “The thin crescent on approach and the nearly ‘full Mars’ view after we fly past create opportunities for the imaging team for both great calibration observations as well as just plain beautiful photos,” Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead at Arizona State University, said, before the flyby.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260522/image-1779459119456.png"></figure>A full view of Mars captured by Psyche (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)&nbsp;Psyche took thousands of photos of Mars and also saw nighttime and daytime across different regions. It also captured its south pole region and dust scattered by the wind streaking across surface craters.&nbsp;&nbsp;The testing done using Mars was crucial to ensure that the cameras and instruments are working fine before it finally reaches the asteroid. Once it reaches the asteroid, it will enter an orbit that shifts lower and higher in altitude to map the space rock fully. If the probe successfully finds evidence that the shiny portion on the asteroid is the interior of a planet, it would be a major breakthrough in planetary science and would be the first time displaying what the insides of our own planet likely look like. &nbsp;

The Psyche mission is en route to its namesake asteroid, and on the way, it flew by Mars and saw the Red Planet in a completely new light. The crescent seen in this photo is Mars. The probe also captured winds blowing on the Red Planet and a full view. 

The Psyche mission, headed for Asteroid 16 Psyche, has captured a never-before-seen view of Mars on its journey through space. Looking at it from a high angle, it caught the Red Planet from a unique perspective, capturing an illuminated crescent. The probe is travelling to the outer part of the main asteroid belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter. With millions of asteroids in the belt, Psyche pulled interest because of its reflective metal surface, which showed that it is a large metallic asteroid. Scientists believe it could be the core of an ancient planetary rock which did not get to turn into a planet. Launched in 2023, Psyche will travel 3.6 billion kilometres to reach the asteroid in 2029. The journey included a Mars flyby to use the gravitational force of the planet to slingshot the probe on a trajectory towards Mars while saving fuel. Also Read: Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years Mars gravity boost During the manoeuvre, the Psyche spacecraft came within 4,609 kilometres of the Martian surface. “We’ve confirmed that Mars gave the spacecraft a 1,000-mile-per-hour boost and shifted its orbital plane by about 1 degree relative to the Sun,” Don Han, Psyche’s navigation lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said. The team also used this opportunity to test the systems and camera on board the spacecraft, which took pictures of the Red Planet. From a high vantage point, the probe saw a red crescent. After flying away, it also snapped a nearly "full Mars" view. “The thin crescent on approach and the nearly ‘full Mars’ view after we fly past create opportunities for the imaging team for both great calibration observations as well as just plain beautiful photos,” Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead at Arizona State University, said, before the flyby. A full view of Mars captured by Psyche (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU) Psyche took thousands of photos of Mars and also saw nighttime and daytime across different regions. It also captured its south pole region and dust scattered by the wind streaking across surface craters. The testing done using Mars was crucial to ensure that the cameras and instruments are working fine before it finally reaches the asteroid. Once it reaches the asteroid, it will enter an orbit that shifts lower and higher in altitude to map the space rock fully. If the probe successfully finds evidence that the shiny portion on the asteroid is the interior of a planet, it would be a major breakthrough in planetary science and would be the first time displaying what the insides of our own planet likely look like.

The Psyche mission is en route to its namesake asteroid, and on the way, it flew by Mars and saw the Red Planet in a completely new light. The crescent seen in this photo is Mars. The probe also captured winds blowing on the Red Planet and a full view.&nbsp;

Asteroid-bound mission caught Mars in a completely new light

Scientists have long known that Phobos, one of the moons of Mars, will eventually die as the tidal effects of the planet suck its orbital energy, leading it to turn into a debris disk. This is expected to happen when it passes inside the Roche Limit - the minimum distance to which a moon, comet, or asteroid can approach a larger primary body. In the case of Mars and Phobos, this limit is around 1.6 times the radius of the Red Planet (RM), or approximately 3,600 to 5,500 km. However, a new analysis has shown that Phobos will start to shred and break apart long before it reaches this limit. Harrison Agrusa and Patrick Michel, researchers at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, France, say that Phobos' shape and the fact that it is merely a pile of rubble will play a role in this event.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/no-mars-no-moolah-musk-s-appraisal-directly-tied-to-settling-1-million-people-on-red-planet-1777634594502">No Mars, no moolah: Musk's appraisal directly tied to settling 1 million people on Red Planet</a>&nbsp;Scientists determined the fate of Phobos using two approaches. One was the simple mathematics behind the tidal strain at decreasing distance from Mars, and its shape, along with the cohesive strength of Phobos. The second was a computer simulation looking at the moon as a rubble pile, tracking how each separate particle will react as Phobos spirals inward. Both of them threw up similar results - that death awaits Phobos sooner than expected.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-just-saved-a-precious-drill-on-mars-from-212-million-kilometres-away-1767174556834">NASA just saved a precious drill stuck on Mars since 8 months from 212 million kilometres away</a><h2>How and when will Phobos die?</h2>Phobos will start undergoing mass shedding from two points - one closest to Mars and the other farthest from the planet. The gravitational pull is strongest at the part nearest to it, while the outwards-flinging centrifugal force is greatest on the far side. The shedding will start when Phobos is at an orbital distance of about 2.25RM. It will greatly increase at around 2.15RM and 2.13RM. Material from Phobos will start flowing in two huge streams at around 2.09RM, destabilising it and ultimately spelling doom. However, the end could come much before it even reaches this last limit. The material pulled from Phobos will enter Mars' orbit and then smash again into the Moon at high speeds. This would lead to a "sesquinary catastrophe", finishing off Phobos.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/half-of-mars-was-covered-with-an-ocean-as-big-as-the-arctic-3-billion-years-ago-1768566494909">3 billion years ago, Mars had a huge ocean that covered half the planet</a>&nbsp;Phobos is not going to die for another 20 to 50 million years. Meanwhile, humans are working to quench their curiosity as Japan gets ready to launch the Japanese Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission this year. It is designed to study the interior structure and material strength of Phobos, giving a closer estimate of its demise.

Phobos, the closer of the two Martian Moons, is being pulled towards the planet and is one day expected to be completely obliterated by the tidal forces. However, this will happen much sooner and will be extremely brutal.  

Scientists have long known that Phobos, one of the moons of Mars, will eventually die as the tidal effects of the planet suck its orbital energy, leading it to turn into a debris disk. This is expected to happen when it passes inside the Roche Limit - the minimum distance to which a moon, comet, or asteroid can approach a larger primary body. In the case of Mars and Phobos, this limit is around 1.6 times the radius of the Red Planet (RM), or approximately 3,600 to 5,500 km. However, a new analysis has shown that Phobos will start to shred and break apart long before it reaches this limit. Harrison Agrusa and Patrick Michel, researchers at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, France, say that Phobos' shape and the fact that it is merely a pile of rubble will play a role in this event. Also Read: No Mars, no moolah: Musk's appraisal directly tied to settling 1 million people on Red Planet Scientists determined the fate of Phobos using two approaches. One was the simple mathematics behind the tidal strain at decreasing distance from Mars, and its shape, along with the cohesive strength of Phobos. The second was a computer simulation looking at the moon as a rubble pile, tracking how each separate particle will react as Phobos spirals inward. Both of them threw up similar results - that death awaits Phobos sooner than expected. Also Read: NASA just saved a precious drill stuck on Mars since 8 months from 212 million kilometres away How and when will Phobos die? Phobos will start undergoing mass shedding from two points - one closest to Mars and the other farthest from the planet. The gravitational pull is strongest at the part nearest to it, while the outwards-flinging centrifugal force is greatest on the far side. The shedding will start when Phobos is at an orbital distance of about 2.25RM. It will greatly increase at around 2.15RM and 2.13RM. Material from Phobos will start flowing in two huge streams at around 2.09RM, destabilising it and ultimately spelling doom. However, the end could come much before it even reaches this last limit. The material pulled from Phobos will enter Mars' orbit and then smash again into the Moon at high speeds. This would lead to a "sesquinary catastrophe", finishing off Phobos. Also Read: 3 billion years ago, Mars had a huge ocean that covered half the planet Phobos is not going to die for another 20 to 50 million years. Meanwhile, humans are working to quench their curiosity as Japan gets ready to launch the Japanese Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission this year. It is designed to study the interior structure and material strength of Phobos, giving a closer estimate of its demise.

Phobos, the closer of the two Martian Moons, is being pulled towards the planet and is one day expected to be completely obliterated by the tidal forces. However, this will happen much sooner and will be extremely brutal. &nbsp;

Mars will deliver a violent death to its own Moon sooner than expected

A bold new compensation plan at SpaceX is tying CEO Elon Musk’s pay to an extraordinary target—building a future on Mars.

According to reports, the package links financial rewards to long-term milestones including Mars colonization and even the development of space-based data centers. One of the most ambitious conditions reportedly envisions a future where up to one million people could live on the Red Planet.

The plan also intensifies the internal competition for Musk’s attention between SpaceX and Tesla, raising questions about priorities, feasibility, and corporate strategy.

SpaceX Ties Musk Compensation To Mars Colonization Goal

Scientists at NASA say the Curiosity Rover has detected complex organic molecules on Mars that may provide fresh clues about the Red Planet’s ancient habitability. While the discovery does not confirm past life, researchers say the findings strengthen evidence that Mars once had conditions capable of supporting microbial organisms.

NASA: Curiosity Rover Detects Molecules That Could Suggest Possible Life on Mars

Nasa: Curiosity Rover Finds Molecules That May Hint at Life on Mars

Skywatchers are in for a treat as a rare alignment of Mars, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune is set to take place. Astronomers say this celestial event offers a unique chance to spot multiple planets together in the night sky. In India, experts recommend using a small telescope for the best view, especially for distant Neptune. It’s a rare moment that blends science with sheer visual wonder.


Astronomers Around The World Prepare For The Planetary Alignment 

A pyramid-like structure first seen on Mars in 2001 has renewed debate on whether human-like creatures inhabited the planet billions of years ago. The image was captured by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and found by researcher Keith Laney while he was scanning the data. He believes that this three-sided pyramid on the Martian surface is possibly an artificial structure. Expressing surprise, he said, "Were this found anywhere on Earth, we'd surely be digging into it." The NASA photo is generating interest on social media 25 years later, after it was reshared by documentary filmmaker Brian Dobbs. "On Mars, there is a three-sided pyramid the size of the Great Pyramid in Egypt," he said. The photo of this pyramid would not have reached a lot of people in 2001. But now, it is grabbing eyeballs because the photo truly is amazing.&nbsp;This pyramid-like structure is located in the western region of canyon Candor Chasma inside Valles Marineris, a canyon system which scientists say is the second-largest in our solar system. It has been clicked at least five times by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions between 2001 and 2016. Dobbs told Daily Mail that it is not proof of past life on Mars, but it definitely raises questions about the history of the red planet. Meanwhile, NASA says that since the canyon system is riddled with steep cliffs and witnesses landslides, it is possible for unusual and highly geometric surface features to take shape.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-just-saved-a-precious-drill-on-mars-from-212-million-kilometres-away-1767174556834">NASA just saved a precious drill stuck on Mars since 8 months from 212 million kilometres away</a><h2>Photos of the pyramid on Mars</h2>The first photo was taken in 2001, with sunlight falling in such a way that only one side of the structure was visible. In April 2002, a three-sided shape was seen once again. &nbsp;Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took a high-resolution photo in 2007 and showed more features for the first time. More images in 2014 and 2016 highlighted the geometrical features even more clearly. What was striking in all these images was that, irrespective of sunlight, shadow, image quality, and conditions, the three-sided structure appeared identical each time. The three lines seen from above the structure appear perfectly straight.&nbsp;Mars researcher George Haas wrote in a research paper, that the three-sided pyramid "exhibits a level of geometry and symmetry that supports a high probability of artificial origins." Reports suggest that CIA carried out mysterious experiments regarding Mars, and documents show that an ancient civilisation that built at least one pyramid once lived on the Red Planet. "Project Stargate" seemingly had the agency send a person's consciousness back in time who described a pyramid and a road, suggesting the presence of a civilisation. Today, people like Elon Musk believe that Mars is humanity's next home. However, that aspiration faces a lot of hurdles today.

A photo showing a pyramid-like structure on Mars, taken by NASA's spacecraft several times, is grabbing attention on social media. It is raising questions about whether the Red Planet was ever home to an ancient civilisation.

A pyramid-like structure first seen on Mars in 2001 has renewed debate on whether human-like creatures inhabited the planet billions of years ago. The image was captured by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and found by researcher Keith Laney while he was scanning the data. He believes that this three-sided pyramid on the Martian surface is possibly an artificial structure. Expressing surprise, he said, "Were this found anywhere on Earth, we'd surely be digging into it." The NASA photo is generating interest on social media 25 years later, after it was reshared by documentary filmmaker Brian Dobbs. "On Mars, there is a three-sided pyramid the size of the Great Pyramid in Egypt," he said. The photo of this pyramid would not have reached a lot of people in 2001. But now, it is grabbing eyeballs because the photo truly is amazing. This pyramid-like structure is located in the western region of canyon Candor Chasma inside Valles Marineris, a canyon system which scientists say is the second-largest in our solar system. It has been clicked at least five times by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions between 2001 and 2016. Dobbs told Daily Mail that it is not proof of past life on Mars, but it definitely raises questions about the history of the red planet. Meanwhile, NASA says that since the canyon system is riddled with steep cliffs and witnesses landslides, it is possible for unusual and highly geometric surface features to take shape. Also Read: NASA just saved a precious drill stuck on Mars since 8 months from 212 million kilometres away Photos of the pyramid on Mars The first photo was taken in 2001, with sunlight falling in such a way that only one side of the structure was visible. In April 2002, a three-sided shape was seen once again. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took a high-resolution photo in 2007 and showed more features for the first time. More images in 2014 and 2016 highlighted the geometrical features even more clearly. What was striking in all these images was that, irrespective of sunlight, shadow, image quality, and conditions, the three-sided structure appeared identical each time. The three lines seen from above the structure appear perfectly straight. Mars researcher George Haas wrote in a research paper, that the three-sided pyramid "exhibits a level of geometry and symmetry that supports a high probability of artificial origins." Reports suggest that CIA carried out mysterious experiments regarding Mars, and documents show that an ancient civilisation that built at least one pyramid once lived on the Red Planet. "Project Stargate" seemingly had the agency send a person's consciousness back in time who described a pyramid and a road, suggesting the presence of a civilisation. Today, people like Elon Musk believe that Mars is humanity's next home. However, that aspiration faces a lot of hurdles today.

A photo showing a pyramid-like structure on Mars, taken by NASA's spacecraft several times, is grabbing attention on social media. It is raising questions about whether the Red Planet was ever home to an ancient civilisation.

Three-side pyramid-like structure seen on Mars triggers debate - Natural or artificial?

A new study carried out by Swiss scientists has proposed that Mars was once a "blue planet" just like Earth. Researchers of the latest study have found evidence of a vast ocean on Mars, similar in size to the Arctic Ocean. Previous observations have shown that the Red Planet once had major rivers and possibly oceans. Valles Marineris – the largest canyon system on Mars – has been identified as one of the regions near the equator where water was once present. Now, scientists from the University of Bern and the INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova have found proof of this vast ocean and a coastline. High-resolution images from cameras scanning Mars led them to find structures near the canyon system that resemble river deltas on Earth. They have come across what was once possibly the mouth of a river pouring into the ocean. They say their findings confirm previous research that Mars was covered with an ocean three billion years ago.&nbsp;The team says that this ocean is as large as the Arctic Ocean on Earth. Fritz Schlunegger, Professor of Exogenous Geology at the Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of Bern, said, "We are not the first to postulate the existence and size of the ocean. However, earlier claims were based on less precise data and partly on indirect arguments. Our reconstruction of the sea level, on the other hand, is based on clear evidence for such a coastline, as we were able to use high-resolution images." He added that their analysis provides evidence for the deepest and largest former ocean on Mars to date. This ocean stretched across the northern hemisphere of the planet, he said. Even though dusty dunes cover this region today, he says their original shape is still noticeable.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-indian-texts-say-one-universe-ends-and-another-begins-is-this-what-big-bang-was-1768563626475">Ancient Indian texts say one universe ends, and another is born. Is this what Big Bang was?</a><h2>Mars had conditions that supported life?</h2>Ignatius Argadestya, PhD student at the Institute of Geological Sciences and the Physics Institute of the University of Bern, said that this finding shows that the Red Planet could have supported life at one time in its past. “We know Mars as a dry, red planet. However, our results show that it was a blue planet in the past, similar to Earth. This finding also shows that water is precious on a planet and could possibly disappear at some point,” Argadestya said.&nbsp;The researchers relied on the CaSSIS (Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System) camera on board the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, and data from ESA space probes Mars Express and NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to investigate the structures. &nbsp;“The structures that we were able to identify in the images are clearly the mouth of a river into an ocean,” Schlunegger said.&nbsp;

Mars not only had rivers, but also a huge ocean billions of years ago. Scientists have now found evidence of a large body of water as big as the Arctic Ocean on Mars. Scientists say their findings prove that it was not always a dry and dusty planet.

A new study carried out by Swiss scientists has proposed that Mars was once a "blue planet" just like Earth. Researchers of the latest study have found evidence of a vast ocean on Mars, similar in size to the Arctic Ocean. Previous observations have shown that the Red Planet once had major rivers and possibly oceans. Valles Marineris – the largest canyon system on Mars – has been identified as one of the regions near the equator where water was once present. Now, scientists from the University of Bern and the INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova have found proof of this vast ocean and a coastline. High-resolution images from cameras scanning Mars led them to find structures near the canyon system that resemble river deltas on Earth. They have come across what was once possibly the mouth of a river pouring into the ocean. They say their findings confirm previous research that Mars was covered with an ocean three billion years ago. The team says that this ocean is as large as the Arctic Ocean on Earth. Fritz Schlunegger, Professor of Exogenous Geology at the Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of Bern, said, "We are not the first to postulate the existence and size of the ocean. However, earlier claims were based on less precise data and partly on indirect arguments. Our reconstruction of the sea level, on the other hand, is based on clear evidence for such a coastline, as we were able to use high-resolution images." He added that their analysis provides evidence for the deepest and largest former ocean on Mars to date. This ocean stretched across the northern hemisphere of the planet, he said. Even though dusty dunes cover this region today, he says their original shape is still noticeable. Also Read: Ancient Indian texts say one universe ends, and another is born. Is this what Big Bang was? Mars had conditions that supported life? Ignatius Argadestya, PhD student at the Institute of Geological Sciences and the Physics Institute of the University of Bern, said that this finding shows that the Red Planet could have supported life at one time in its past. “We know Mars as a dry, red planet. However, our results show that it was a blue planet in the past, similar to Earth. This finding also shows that water is precious on a planet and could possibly disappear at some point,” Argadestya said. The researchers relied on the CaSSIS (Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System) camera on board the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, and data from ESA space probes Mars Express and NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to investigate the structures. “The structures that we were able to identify in the images are clearly the mouth of a river into an ocean,” Schlunegger said.

Mars used to have a vast ocean that spanned the entire Northern Hemisphere. This was the case three billion years ago, and yet today, it is nothing but an arid planet. Scientists have found conclusive proof that the Red Planet was once a Blue Planet.&nbsp;

3 billion years ago, Mars had a huge ocean that covered half the planet

NASA recently carried out a tricky manoeuvre from 212 million kilometres away, when a drill on the Perseverance rover got stuck in a rock sample. The rover is currently exploring the Jezero crater on Mars. Recently, while poking at the rocks, a part of its drill got lodged in a rock. Scientists back on Earth found themselves in a bind, racking their brains about how to dislodge a drill from another planet. The problem could have caused Perseverance to lose a precious tool, as letting go of it would have been easier. However, that would have left it without a way to retrieve the rock samples. But the engineers pulled an incredible feat and managed to pull it out. A NASA spokesperson told Mashable on Wednesday, "The team was working to extract a drill bit from the most recent sample collection attempt, which was successfully accomplished as of late Tuesday night."&nbsp;They added that the rover was designed for such an eventuality, and even if it had to lose a drill bit, it had others on board. NASA did not reveal exactly how it was able to get the drill out of the Martian rock. Jezero Crater has been an area of interest on Mars because scientists believe a river once flowed into a delta here. The crater is believed to have formed after a collision 4.6 billion years ago. There are layered rocks in an area called the Witch Hazel Hill in this region of Mars that consist of alternating light and dark bands.&nbsp;<h2>Drill on Perseverance was stuck since April</h2>Earlier this month, the rover dug into one of the light-toned layers filled with tiny rock pieces. Recently, it was checking out the dark ones when pictures beamed back showed that the drill was stuck. NASA believes this happened on April 22.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/1-2-billion-light-years-away-a-triple-black-hole-collision-is-occurring-for-the-first-time-1767166848929">1.2 billion light-years away, a triple black hole collision is occurring for the first time</a>&nbsp;Perseverance has been collecting samples from Mars, filling up a tube with dirt and rocks. NASA plans on bringing these samples back to Earth as part of a return mission and is aiming to do so by 2030. However, its original plan has effectively failed because of high costs, and now it is looking at alternative ways to bring the samples to Earth.

Perseverance rover got one of its drills stuck in a rock on Mars, and NASA only got to know about it months later. There were chances that the rover would lose the drill, but the space agency said that it had successfully retrieved it. 

NASA recently carried out a tricky manoeuvre from 212 million kilometres away, when a drill on the Perseverance rover got stuck in a rock sample. The rover is currently exploring the Jezero crater on Mars. Recently, while poking at the rocks, a part of its drill got lodged in a rock. Scientists back on Earth found themselves in a bind, racking their brains about how to dislodge a drill from another planet. The problem could have caused Perseverance to lose a precious tool, as letting go of it would have been easier. However, that would have left it without a way to retrieve the rock samples. But the engineers pulled an incredible feat and managed to pull it out. A NASA spokesperson told Mashable on Wednesday, "The team was working to extract a drill bit from the most recent sample collection attempt, which was successfully accomplished as of late Tuesday night." They added that the rover was designed for such an eventuality, and even if it had to lose a drill bit, it had others on board. NASA did not reveal exactly how it was able to get the drill out of the Martian rock. Jezero Crater has been an area of interest on Mars because scientists believe a river once flowed into a delta here. The crater is believed to have formed after a collision 4.6 billion years ago. There are layered rocks in an area called the Witch Hazel Hill in this region of Mars that consist of alternating light and dark bands. Drill on Perseverance was stuck since April Earlier this month, the rover dug into one of the light-toned layers filled with tiny rock pieces. Recently, it was checking out the dark ones when pictures beamed back showed that the drill was stuck. NASA believes this happened on April 22. Also Read: 1.2 billion light-years away, a triple black hole collision is occurring for the first time Perseverance has been collecting samples from Mars, filling up a tube with dirt and rocks. NASA plans on bringing these samples back to Earth as part of a return mission and is aiming to do so by 2030. However, its original plan has effectively failed because of high costs, and now it is looking at alternative ways to bring the samples to Earth.

Perseverance rover got one of its drills stuck in a rock on Mars, and NASA only got to know about it months later. There were chances that the rover would lose the drill, but the space agency said that it had successfully retrieved it.&nbsp;

NASA just saved a precious drill stuck on Mars since 8 months from 212 million kilometres away

NASA's Perseverance rover spotted a strange-looking rock on Mars that didn't belong there. It ran some scans, and the data revealed that it didn't come from the Red Planet but some other far-off point in space. Is it a meteorite?


NASA Identifies Rare Iron-Nickel Meteorite in Jezero Crater on Mars 

A new study has now found that microscopic remnants of long-dead organisms may still rest frozen in Mars' ice, enduring far longer than previously believed, even under extreme and life-hostile conditions. The findings indicate that bacterial traces could survive up to 50 million years of cosmic radiation if sealed in pure ice, giving hope of uncovering biological evidence beneath the frozen surface of Mars.&nbsp;In order to get findings, the team recreated conditions similar to the Mars environment in the lab using E. coli bacteria and pure water ice. The samples were frozen at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and exposed to a high amount of radiation similar to what Mars has been experiencing for millions of years, according to a report in The Earth.<h3>How results show life on Mars?</h3>When the result came, it surprised the researchers, showing over 10 per cent of the amino acids – the molecules that form proteins – remained unharmed. “Fifty million years is far greater than the expected age for some current surface ice deposits on Mars. That means if there are bacteria near the surface of Mars, future missions can find it," said Christopher House of Penn State.&nbsp;Samples containing Martian soil or rock broke down much more quickly, while pure ice offered protection by trapping harmful particles before they could spread. When radiation strikes ice mixed with minerals, it generates reactive radicals that move freely and destroy amino acids. In contrast, solid ice keeps these radicals frozen in place, minimising damage.&nbsp;“While in solid ice, harmful particles created by radiation get frozen in place and may not be able to reach organic compounds,” Pavlov said. This shows that, the pure ice, without rocky soil, there could be a possibility of life on Mars.&nbsp;Researchers also discovered that clay minerals such as montmorillonite provide no protection—in fact, they may worsen molecular decay by forming thin liquid films that allow radiation to travel more easily. Temperature proved a crucial factor too: under warmer, Mars-like conditions, amino acids deteriorated faster than in the frigid, Europa-like environment.&nbsp;At higher temperatures, radiation produces more mobile oxidants that rapidly react with organic matter. Interestingly, water content also played an unexpected role, contrary to earlier assumptions that more water speeds destruction; the new study found a more complex relationship at work.&nbsp;The radicals which were formed in pure ice were unable to move easily. However, it could still travel through thin liquid-like layers in minerals with small amounts of water and break molecules apart faster. The result indicated why ice, even after exposure, is still a better long-term protector than wet clay or rock mixtures.&nbsp;The study also indicates that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for tens of millions of years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.&nbsp;Backed by NASA’s Planetary Science Division and scientists from Penn State, the research underscores one key insight: the search for life’s remnants should focus on ice rather than rock. The clues to Mars’s biological past may already be there, locked in the frozen layers, preserved across cosmic time and shielded from decay.

The study indicated that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for 10 million years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.

A new study has now found that microscopic remnants of long-dead organisms may still rest frozen in Mars' ice, enduring far longer than previously believed, even under extreme and life-hostile conditions. The findings indicate that bacterial traces could survive up to 50 million years of cosmic radiation if sealed in pure ice, giving hope of uncovering biological evidence beneath the frozen surface of Mars. In order to get findings, the team recreated conditions similar to the Mars environment in the lab using E. coli bacteria and pure water ice. The samples were frozen at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and exposed to a high amount of radiation similar to what Mars has been experiencing for millions of years, according to a report in The Earth. How results show life on Mars? When the result came, it surprised the researchers, showing over 10 per cent of the amino acids – the molecules that form proteins – remained unharmed. “Fifty million years is far greater than the expected age for some current surface ice deposits on Mars. That means if there are bacteria near the surface of Mars, future missions can find it," said Christopher House of Penn State. Samples containing Martian soil or rock broke down much more quickly, while pure ice offered protection by trapping harmful particles before they could spread. When radiation strikes ice mixed with minerals, it generates reactive radicals that move freely and destroy amino acids. In contrast, solid ice keeps these radicals frozen in place, minimising damage. “While in solid ice, harmful particles created by radiation get frozen in place and may not be able to reach organic compounds,” Pavlov said. This shows that, the pure ice, without rocky soil, there could be a possibility of life on Mars. Researchers also discovered that clay minerals such as montmorillonite provide no protection—in fact, they may worsen molecular decay by forming thin liquid films that allow radiation to travel more easily. Temperature proved a crucial factor too: under warmer, Mars-like conditions, amino acids deteriorated faster than in the frigid, Europa-like environment. At higher temperatures, radiation produces more mobile oxidants that rapidly react with organic matter. Interestingly, water content also played an unexpected role, contrary to earlier assumptions that more water speeds destruction; the new study found a more complex relationship at work. The radicals which were formed in pure ice were unable to move easily. However, it could still travel through thin liquid-like layers in minerals with small amounts of water and break molecules apart faster. The result indicated why ice, even after exposure, is still a better long-term protector than wet clay or rock mixtures. The study also indicates that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for tens of millions of years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it. Backed by NASA’s Planetary Science Division and scientists from Penn State, the research underscores one key insight: the search for life’s remnants should focus on ice rather than rock. The clues to Mars’s biological past may already be there, locked in the frozen layers, preserved across cosmic time and shielded from decay.

The study indicated that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for 10 million years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.

Life on Mars? Study finds traces of life may still lie beneath the planet's frozen surface

AI is changing how we plan to build cities on Mars. From robot builders to smart design using martian soil, AI will make space living safer and faster. But can it handle mars’ tough conditions? Here’s how the future of space building may look like.

AI is changing how we plan to build cities on Mars. From robot builders to smart design using Martian soil, AI will make space living safer and faster. But can it handle mars’ tough conditions? Here’s how the future of space building may look like.

How could AI help humans build the first city on Mars?

A comet from another star system will swing by Mars on Friday as a fleet of spacecraft trains its sights on the interstellar visitor.


Celestial comet swerves past Mars, to be visible from Earth

NASA say nuclear-powered rockets may cut travel time to Mars by half. making deep space missions safer and faster. NASA and DARPA plan tests by 2027, with crewed missions possible in the 2030s. Here's how nuclear propulsion may reshape interplanetary travel.

NASA say nuclear-powered rockets may cut travel time to Mars by half. making deep space missions safer and faster. NASA and DARPA plan tests by 2027, with crewed missions possible in the 2030s. Here's how nuclear propulsion may reshape interplanetary travel.

Will nuclear-powered rockets take us to Mars faster?

Living on Mars long-term need food, water, etc. Farming on Mars, growing oxygen, and building safe habitats will be vital. Scientists plan greenhouses, tech, and safe habitats. Energy and health challenges are big, but with robotics, humans could build a permanent home on Mars.

Living on Mars long-term need food, water, etc. Farming on Mars, growing oxygen, and building safe habitats will be vital. Scientists plan greenhouses, tech, and safe habitats. Energy and health challenges are big, but with robotics, humans could build a permanent home on Mars.

Can space technology help astronauts survive on mars?

Has NASA just uncovered the most compelling evidence of life beyond Earth? A Martian rock sample — nicknamed Sapphire Canyon — may hold the clearest biosignatures ever found on Mars. From mineral patterns to organic compounds, scientists say this 3.5-billion-year-old rock might be our best shot yet at answering humanity’s oldest question: Are we alone in the universe? Here's what we know so far — and what comes next.



NASA Finds Clearest Alien Evidence Ever | ‘Sapphire Canyon’ Rock Discovered! | WION

A team of scientists from the US and China has made a startling discovery about our red neighbour, Mars. They have found a solid core inside the planet, a finding that could reshape all understanding about the red planet. Mars should ideally not have this core, but astronomers are shocked to see that it is real. The finding was published in the journal Nature. Seismic data collected by NASA's InSight lander, which is no longer in use, was analysed by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China and the University of Texas at Austin. They studied Marsquakes on the red planet and discovered that a 600km solid core sits inside Mars. The researchers say that this presents new clues to how Mars formed, and that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-2024-yr4-moon-earth-collision-2032-space-rock-1749628743606">Earth </a>wasn't the only planet to have tectonic plates. &nbsp;Nicholas Schmerr, a planetary seismologist at the University of Maryland, College Park, wrote alongside the paper that this provides a new understanding of Mars’ deep interior. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/oldest-black-hole-can-fit-50-million-suns-and-was-born-with-the-big-bang-1757307294530">Oldest black hole can fit 50 million suns and was born with the Big Bang — 'Lonely and naked'</a>&nbsp;<h2>What lies inside Mars?</h2>The NASA InSight mission was launched in 2017 to specifically study the interior of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/-we-ve-never-seen-marsquakes-reveal-stunning-structures-hiding-inside-the-red-planet-1756969195002">Mars</a>. A seismometer installed on it captured seismic activity, while a heat probe tracked internal heat flow. Mars’ crust, mantle and partially liquid metal core were earlier mapped using this data. The researchers used more data from the lander and found two distinctive types of seismic waves. The PKKP was one, which travelled through the planet’s core, while the PKiKP, bounced off the boundary of a solid inner core. The latter had proved that the Earth and Moon had solid cores. If Mars had a liquid core, then the PKKP waves should have been delayed by 50 to 200 seconds as compared to when they actually reached InSight. The speed of these waves helped calculate the radius of this solid inner core, which is measured at about 600km in radius. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/-we-ve-never-seen-marsquakes-reveal-stunning-structures-hiding-inside-the-red-planet-1756969195002">'We've never seen...' — Marsquakes reveal 4.5-billion-year-old structures embedded in the red planet</a>&nbsp;<h2>Tectonic plates on Mars</h2>Meanwhile, Ross Mitchell, a geologist at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics in Beijing, told SCMP that high pressure and low temperature together force the liquid metal to "freeze" to form the core inside a planet. This is true for every cosmic body, be it a planet or a Moon; however, the time it takes to freeze the core differs. For most, this process doesn't happen fast enough. He says that if the revelation made in the paper holds true, "then it’s three of a kind: Earth, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-s-james-webb-telescope-discovers-tiny-new-moon-orbiting-uranus-1757150537547">moon </a>and now Mars have inner cores." With Earth, the process was simple. The movement of surface plates helps carry heat from deep inside the planet to the surface. This was a major factor in the rapid cooling of the liquid metal.&nbsp;For Mars, tectonic plates were not believed to exist. Besides, the cooling of the core was thought to have been impeded by the presence of a molten layer between its mantle and core. However, Mitchell argues, that this blanket's role could have been shoved aside if Mars had plate tectonics in the past, helping it "cool rapidly despite the insulation."&nbsp;

Mars has a solid core, a stunning discovery that changes everything that has been thought about the formation of the red planet. A team of scientists studied Marsquakes to reveal that a 600km solid core sits inside the red planet.

A team of scientists from the US and China has made a startling discovery about our red neighbour, Mars. They have found a solid core inside the planet, a finding that could reshape all understanding about the red planet. Mars should ideally not have this core, but astronomers are shocked to see that it is real. The finding was published in the journal Nature. Seismic data collected by NASA's InSight lander, which is no longer in use, was analysed by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China and the University of Texas at Austin. They studied Marsquakes on the red planet and discovered that a 600km solid core sits inside Mars. The researchers say that this presents new clues to how Mars formed, and that Earth wasn't the only planet to have tectonic plates. Nicholas Schmerr, a planetary seismologist at the University of Maryland, College Park, wrote alongside the paper that this provides a new understanding of Mars’ deep interior. Also Read: Oldest black hole can fit 50 million suns and was born with the Big Bang — 'Lonely and naked' What lies inside Mars? The NASA InSight mission was launched in 2017 to specifically study the interior of Mars. A seismometer installed on it captured seismic activity, while a heat probe tracked internal heat flow. Mars’ crust, mantle and partially liquid metal core were earlier mapped using this data. The researchers used more data from the lander and found two distinctive types of seismic waves. The PKKP was one, which travelled through the planet’s core, while the PKiKP, bounced off the boundary of a solid inner core. The latter had proved that the Earth and Moon had solid cores. If Mars had a liquid core, then the PKKP waves should have been delayed by 50 to 200 seconds as compared to when they actually reached InSight. The speed of these waves helped calculate the radius of this solid inner core, which is measured at about 600km in radius. Also Read: 'We've never seen...' — Marsquakes reveal 4.5-billion-year-old structures embedded in the red planet Tectonic plates on Mars Meanwhile, Ross Mitchell, a geologist at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics in Beijing, told SCMP that high pressure and low temperature together force the liquid metal to "freeze" to form the core inside a planet. This is true for every cosmic body, be it a planet or a Moon; however, the time it takes to freeze the core differs. For most, this process doesn't happen fast enough. He says that if the revelation made in the paper holds true, "then it’s three of a kind: Earth, the moon and now Mars have inner cores." With Earth, the process was simple. The movement of surface plates helps carry heat from deep inside the planet to the surface. This was a major factor in the rapid cooling of the liquid metal. For Mars, tectonic plates were not believed to exist. Besides, the cooling of the core was thought to have been impeded by the presence of a molten layer between its mantle and core. However, Mitchell argues, that this blanket's role could have been shoved aside if Mars had plate tectonics in the past, helping it "cool rapidly despite the insulation."

Mars has a solid core, a stunning discovery that changes everything that has been thought about the formation of the red planet. A team of scientists studied Marsquakes to reveal that a 600km solid core sits inside the red planet.

600km solid core inside Mars stuns scientists - Only the third after Earth and Moon

The interiors of Mars have chunks and blobs of ancient rocks that could have developed to form planets. The discovery was made when scientists were scanning through the data of NASA's InSight lander. How did they manage to remain the same for over 4.5 billion years?


NASA seismometer exposes red planet's cannibal history 

Our solar system was likely once home to life besides the one it hosts on Earth. NASA scientists have found evidence that the dwarf planet Ceres was once home to microbial life. The icy body is believed to be harbouring saltwater lakes and organic carbon molecules under its surface, as shown by previous research. Today, it lacks any nutrients that microbes can utilise for food. But around 2.5 and four billion years ago, radioactivity likely created warm water conditions, or a "buffet," on Ceres that were fit for microbes to thrive. This is the same as on Earth, where the oceans once held much higher concentrations of radioactive isotopes, enabling widespread radiolysis-driven chemistry. The buffet for microbes refers to the presence of Hydrogen, oxidants, organic precursors and stable chemical gradients. These ingredients can support certain metabolic processes in the absence of sunlight. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/stargazing-guide-once-in-multiple-lifetimes-comet-lemmon-is-hurtling-towards-earth-here-s-when-you-can-see-it-1755846815603">Once-in-MULTIPLE-lifetimes comet is hurtling towards Earth. Here's when you can see it</a>&nbsp;Ceres lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, and is barren. NASA's Dawn mission discovered in 2018 that something seemed to be reflecting light off its surface. This was found to be salt that was left behind by the liquid that oozed out of its surface. This was a lightbulb moment as the presence of salt means a saltwater source was present somewhere on the dwarf planet. Ceres is hiding vast reservoirs of brine that are minus 63°C today, too cold to support any form of life. But, NASA simulations show that 500 million to two billion years after Ceres formed, radioactive minerals began to decay inside its rocky interior, which would have produced a steady supply of hot water. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/6-word-message-humans-should-send-interstellar-mothership-as-per-harvard-scientist-1755588175737">A message in Morse: Humans should reach out to interstellar 'mothership', scientist says</a>&nbsp;<h2>Hot water vents trigger life in oceans</h2>The temperatures of the water near the core would have exceeded 270°C, NASA said, which then moved upwards where it mixed with the cold water, creating a stream comprising dissolved minerals and gases. These are known as hot water vents and help microbes and other life forms sustain and thrive on Earth deep inside oceans. If it all transpired in the same way on Ceres as shown by the simulation, then it would have given birth to a type of microbe known as a chemotroph. It is energised by chemical reactions and was capable of surviving on this hot water.&nbsp;Lead researcher of the study, Sam Courville, a PhD candidate at Arizona State University, said, "On Earth, when hot water from deep underground mixes with the ocean, the result is often a buffet for microbes — a feast of chemical energy." He added that determining "whether Ceres’ ocean had an influx of hydrothermal fluid in the past" could have great implications. This discovery shows that is Ceres was capable of triggering life on its own, there could be other planets in the universe capable of a similar feat.&nbsp;

Ceres is the dwarf planet that orbits between Mars and Jupiter and is icy cold today. But 500 million to two billion years after it was born, conditions were ripe for life forms to thrive on Ceres. No sunlight was involved in the process.

Our solar system was likely once home to life besides the one it hosts on Earth. NASA scientists have found evidence that the dwarf planet Ceres was once home to microbial life. The icy body is believed to be harbouring saltwater lakes and organic carbon molecules under its surface, as shown by previous research. Today, it lacks any nutrients that microbes can utilise for food. But around 2.5 and four billion years ago, radioactivity likely created warm water conditions, or a "buffet," on Ceres that were fit for microbes to thrive. This is the same as on Earth, where the oceans once held much higher concentrations of radioactive isotopes, enabling widespread radiolysis-driven chemistry. The buffet for microbes refers to the presence of Hydrogen, oxidants, organic precursors and stable chemical gradients. These ingredients can support certain metabolic processes in the absence of sunlight. Also Read: Once-in-MULTIPLE-lifetimes comet is hurtling towards Earth. Here's when you can see it Ceres lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, and is barren. NASA's Dawn mission discovered in 2018 that something seemed to be reflecting light off its surface. This was found to be salt that was left behind by the liquid that oozed out of its surface. This was a lightbulb moment as the presence of salt means a saltwater source was present somewhere on the dwarf planet. Ceres is hiding vast reservoirs of brine that are minus 63°C today, too cold to support any form of life. But, NASA simulations show that 500 million to two billion years after Ceres formed, radioactive minerals began to decay inside its rocky interior, which would have produced a steady supply of hot water. Also Read: A message in Morse: Humans should reach out to interstellar 'mothership', scientist says Hot water vents trigger life in oceans The temperatures of the water near the core would have exceeded 270°C, NASA said, which then moved upwards where it mixed with the cold water, creating a stream comprising dissolved minerals and gases. These are known as hot water vents and help microbes and other life forms sustain and thrive on Earth deep inside oceans. If it all transpired in the same way on Ceres as shown by the simulation, then it would have given birth to a type of microbe known as a chemotroph. It is energised by chemical reactions and was capable of surviving on this hot water. Lead researcher of the study, Sam Courville, a PhD candidate at Arizona State University, said, "On Earth, when hot water from deep underground mixes with the ocean, the result is often a buffet for microbes — a feast of chemical energy." He added that determining "whether Ceres’ ocean had an influx of hydrothermal fluid in the past" could have great implications. This discovery shows that is Ceres was capable of triggering life on its own, there could be other planets in the universe capable of a similar feat.

Ceres is the dwarf planet that orbits between Mars and Jupiter and is icy cold today. But 500 million to two billion years after it was born, conditions were ripe for life forms to thrive on Ceres. No sunlight was involved in the process.

Move aside Mars, Ceres was once hot and alive, and hosted life in our solar system

Niger has initiated an investigation into the "trafficking" of a meteorite from Mars. The piece of rock was sold by Sotheby's last month for a whopping $5 million (someone really wanted a piece of our neighbour). Niger officials are now up in arms, saying that it was illegally smuggled out of the country. According to Sotheby's, a meteorite hunter stumbled upon the piece of Mars in the Sahara desert in 2023 after it travelled 225 million kilometres in space to reach Earth. It was then sold to an international dealer whose identity has not been disclosed. Africa has become a prime ground for the discovery of such space rocks because its climate is most suited to their preservation. People go hunting for them since meteorites can fetch a handsome amount of money when sold to scientists and others interested in owning space rocks. This particular meteorite is now at the centre of a tussle. Niger says it belongs to them, but Sotheby's claims it reached them, keeping in line with all the protocols. Can Niger stake a claim to the Mars meteorite or the sale money? Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/black-hole-probe-needs-100-years-1-trillion-dollars-and-nano-technology-cosmic-backyard-earth-1754653395895">Black hole probe needs 100 years, $1 trillion and fictional technology. But there is an even bigger problem</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-discovers-oldest-black-hole-in-the-universe-1754652420362">'A dead ringer': James Webb discovers universe's oldest black hole</a><h2>Niger is angry that the Martian meteorite was sold in New York</h2>Niger insists that the meteorite did not legally leave the country. Heritage academic journal traced the rock's journey, stating that it was sold to an international dealer, and later it was in a private gallery in Italy. Here, a team of scientists from the University of Florence studied the Martian meteorite to learn about its origins. It then reaches the museum in Rome, and from there, at Sotheby's in New York. The auction house sold it for $5 million. Niger sat up and took notice, and raised a hue and cry about the fact that it was sold out of the country. It is now probing the circumstances that led to it reaching New York. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/universe-biggest-black-hole-is-so-monstrous-that-it-can-fit-36-billion-suns-1754645711409">Universe's biggest black hole is so monstrous that it can fit 36 billion Suns</a><h2>Sotheby's says it followed all the rules</h2>Sotheby's told The Associated Press that the export of the meteorite was in line with relevant international procedures.“As with everything we sell, all necessary documentation was in order at each stage of its journey, in accordance with best practice and the requirements of the countries involved," the statement read. Despite Sotheby's insistence that nothing illegal took place, Niger insists that the meteorite's exit was similar to "international trafficking." Can Niger claim the meteorite? According to the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property, &nbsp;meteorites can qualify as cultural property of a country. However, Patty Gerstenblith, a cultural heritage lawyer and expert on illicit trade, says that for this to happen, Niger would need to prove that it owned the meteorite and someone stole it. "But if it was properly declared upon import into the US," then there is nothing that Niger can do.

Can Niger get the meteorite from Mars back? The biggest Martian meteorite ever seen on Earth was sold for $5 million by Sothebys. It was found in the Sahara Desert in 2023, and Niger is pretty livid and asking how it left the country. Can it get it back?

Niger has initiated an investigation into the "trafficking" of a meteorite from Mars. The piece of rock was sold by Sotheby's last month for a whopping $5 million (someone really wanted a piece of our neighbour). Niger officials are now up in arms, saying that it was illegally smuggled out of the country. According to Sotheby's, a meteorite hunter stumbled upon the piece of Mars in the Sahara desert in 2023 after it travelled 225 million kilometres in space to reach Earth. It was then sold to an international dealer whose identity has not been disclosed. Africa has become a prime ground for the discovery of such space rocks because its climate is most suited to their preservation. People go hunting for them since meteorites can fetch a handsome amount of money when sold to scientists and others interested in owning space rocks. This particular meteorite is now at the centre of a tussle. Niger says it belongs to them, but Sotheby's claims it reached them, keeping in line with all the protocols. Can Niger stake a claim to the Mars meteorite or the sale money? Also Read: Black hole probe needs 100 years, $1 trillion and fictional technology. But there is an even bigger problem Also Read: 'A dead ringer': James Webb discovers universe's oldest black hole Niger is angry that the Martian meteorite was sold in New York Niger insists that the meteorite did not legally leave the country. Heritage academic journal traced the rock's journey, stating that it was sold to an international dealer, and later it was in a private gallery in Italy. Here, a team of scientists from the University of Florence studied the Martian meteorite to learn about its origins. It then reaches the museum in Rome, and from there, at Sotheby's in New York. The auction house sold it for $5 million. Niger sat up and took notice, and raised a hue and cry about the fact that it was sold out of the country. It is now probing the circumstances that led to it reaching New York. Also Read: Universe's biggest black hole is so monstrous that it can fit 36 billion Suns Sotheby's says it followed all the rules Sotheby's told The Associated Press that the export of the meteorite was in line with relevant international procedures.“As with everything we sell, all necessary documentation was in order at each stage of its journey, in accordance with best practice and the requirements of the countries involved," the statement read. Despite Sotheby's insistence that nothing illegal took place, Niger insists that the meteorite's exit was similar to "international trafficking." Can Niger claim the meteorite? According to the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property, meteorites can qualify as cultural property of a country. However, Patty Gerstenblith, a cultural heritage lawyer and expert on illicit trade, says that for this to happen, Niger would need to prove that it owned the meteorite and someone stole it. "But if it was properly declared upon import into the US," then there is nothing that Niger can do.

Can Niger get the meteorite from Mars back? The biggest Martian meteorite ever seen on Earth was sold for $5 million by Sotheby's. It was found in the Sahara Desert in 2023, and Niger is pretty livid and asking how it left the country. Can it get it back?

A Martian scandal: Niger wants the $5million Mars rock, biggest  ever seen on Earth, back. What do the laws say?

As humanity sets its sights on Mars, a new kind of robotic explorer is being built to lead the way. Meet Olympus, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) four-legged robot designed to thrive in the Red Planet’s harshest environments, from rocky plains to deep lava tubes.

As humanity sets its sights on Mars, a new kind of robotic explorer is being built to lead the way. Meet Olympus, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) four-legged robot designed to thrive in the Red Planet’s harshest environments, from rocky plains to deep lava tubes.

This space robot could help humans explore the most dangerous parts of Mars

Human landing on Mars might become a reality in the coming years. In preparation for that day, NASA and other space agencies have sent several missions to the Red Planet. One of them was the Perseverance rover that carried the Ingenuity helicopter with it in 2021. It became the first chopper to land and take off from the Martian surface. Now, a defence contractor has released a new design concept to succeed the iconic Mars chopper. The plan is to have multiple choppers land on different spots on Mars at the same time. Virginia-based AeroVironment (AV) has partnered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on the Mars chopper plan. Called the Skyfall mission concept, the helicopters will help further plans of landing humans on Mars one day. The Mars helicopters will scout the landscape for the best places for people. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-radio-signal-defying-laws-of-universe-beams-every-14-minutes-and-70-minutes-1753413568947">Unexplainable radio signal defying laws of universe has no clear source. 'It is a unicorn'</a>&nbsp;<h2>Six choppers will be released from one capsule on Mars</h2>As part of the mission, one capsule will be used to release six helicopters. Once out, each helicopter will land independently on the Martian surface. According to AV, the aim is to launch these choppers in 2028. The Skyfall mission will have six choppers being dropped by the landing carrier without actually having to land anywhere. So there would be no need to have a landing platform on the surface. Once released, each helicopter will choose its own location to land independently. Upon touchdown, they will get to work immediately, exploring different parts of the Martian surface. One of their jobs would be to look for the best locations that are most suited for future human missions. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/avi-loeb-says-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-is-alien-spacecraft-3-reasons-why-he-thinks-so-1753349149598">Expert says interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is alien spacecraft: 3 reasons why he thinks so</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-can-t-figure-out-why-glaciers-in-world-s-most-dangerous-region-karakoram-range-are-growing-1753261712617">Scientists can't figure out why glaciers in world's most dangerous region are growing</a>

<h2>Choppers will click photos and scan under Martian surface</h2>Each chopper will collect high-resolution images of the surface. They would also deploy radar to look under the surface, to search for potential resources on Mars. "With six helicopters, Skyfall offers a low-cost solution that multiplies the range we would cover, the data we would collect, and the scientific research we would conduct–making humanity’s first footprints on Mars meaningfully closer,” William Pomerantz, head of Space Ventures at AV, said in a statement. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-want-to-use-paper-plane-spacecraft-to-deal-with-trash-in-space-1753175251897">NO KIDDING! Scientists want to use PAPER PLANE spacecraft for space missions because...</a>&nbsp;Ingenuity chopper undertook several trips on Mars after being released in 2021. The 19-inch-tall &nbsp;and 1.8-kilogram helicopter also lifted off independently later, becoming the first powered aircraft to lift off from the surface of another planet. It was originally meant to take five test flights, but it stopped only after a whopping 72 flights. Fourteen of those trips had it travel farther than planned for a total flight time of two hours. Last year, Ingenuity took its last flight when it broke its blades while landing.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Skyfall mission by NASA and Virginia-based AeroVironment plans to send six helicopters to Mars in one go, having all of them landing independently in different places. They will scout for spots best suited for human landings on Mars.

Human landing on Mars might become a reality in the coming years. In preparation for that day, NASA and other space agencies have sent several missions to the Red Planet. One of them was the Perseverance rover that carried the Ingenuity helicopter with it in 2021. It became the first chopper to land and take off from the Martian surface. Now, a defence contractor has released a new design concept to succeed the iconic Mars chopper. The plan is to have multiple choppers land on different spots on Mars at the same time. Virginia-based AeroVironment (AV) has partnered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on the Mars chopper plan. Called the Skyfall mission concept, the helicopters will help further plans of landing humans on Mars one day. The Mars helicopters will scout the landscape for the best places for people. Also Read: Unexplainable radio signal defying laws of universe has no clear source. 'It is a unicorn' Six choppers will be released from one capsule on Mars As part of the mission, one capsule will be used to release six helicopters. Once out, each helicopter will land independently on the Martian surface. According to AV, the aim is to launch these choppers in 2028. The Skyfall mission will have six choppers being dropped by the landing carrier without actually having to land anywhere. So there would be no need to have a landing platform on the surface. Once released, each helicopter will choose its own location to land independently. Upon touchdown, they will get to work immediately, exploring different parts of the Martian surface. One of their jobs would be to look for the best locations that are most suited for future human missions. Also Read: Expert says interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is alien spacecraft: 3 reasons why he thinks so Also Read: Scientists can't figure out why glaciers in world's most dangerous region are growing

The Skyfall mission by NASA and Virginia-based AeroVironment plans to send six helicopters to Mars in one go, having all of them landing independently in different places. They will scout for spots best suited for human landings on Mars.

INSANE simulation shows fleet of NASA choppers dropping down on Mars

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