NASA have made several intriguing discoveries, including the presence of organic molecules on Mars and possible water ice on the Moon, but some discoveries are so bizarre, they have baffled many scientists. Here are some of the strange findings made by NASA.

NASA have made several intriguing discoveries, including the presence of organic molecules on Mars and possible water ice on the Moon, but some discoveries are so bizarre, they have baffled many scientists. Here are some of the strange findings made by NASA.

Unexplained doorways, mysterious faces: Strange things found by NASA on Mars that will blow your mind

Elon Musk wants to land humans on Mars in the next decade. NASA also dreams of colonising the red planet. Earth is getting too hot, and to ensure the survival of the human species, experts are looking towards Mars. But who are these humans who will be sent to Mars once everything is in place? The mission would require special training, and one girl has been part of the plan for almost her entire life. Meet Alyssa Carson, the 24-year-old who has long been touted to be one of the first humans to go to Mars. She lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has dreamt of going to the Red Planet since she was three. Carson could become the first human to land on Mars. She is preparing for the mission of a lifetime and knows that it might be a one-way trip. Her NASA callsign is ‘NASA Blueberry,’ and she is currently studying for a PhD in Astrobiology. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/great-wall-of-universe-10-billion-light-years-cosmic-monster-detected-in-space-should-not-exist-1751950803162">GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years cosmic monster detected in space should not exist</a>&nbsp;<h2>Alyssa Carson dreams of becoming first human on Mars</h2>When is this mission due? A human mission to Mars is currently scheduled for 2033, and Carson is determined to become the first to get on the spacecraft. The 24-year-old recently appeared on on the Flight Club Podcast and spoke about the importance of sending humans to Mars, and how that will change the way Earthlings look at the red planet. Carson said that after Earth, Mars is the most studied planet, and naturally becomes the next step in space exploration. "I think that we’ve always been interested in Mars, in fact, next to Earth, Mars is our most studied planet… I think with the natural progression…within the space industry, Mars is kind of like our next destination," she said. Carson stated that humans have been fascinated with the potential for life on Mars. NASA, ESA and other space agencies have landed rovers on the red planet to explore the barren land that scientists think can become our next home. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/7-years-2-asteroids-and-tonnes-of-shooting-meteorites-are-earth-astronauts-and-satellites-really-safe-1751364306598">City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk?</a>&nbsp;<h2>Alyssa Carson's Mars dream started at 3, and continues</h2>Carson believes, that despite all this, “nothing can compete with the amount of information we’re able to gain once we send people to Mars.” Carson's fascination with going to Mars started at the age of three. She picked on the idea from The Backyardigans, an animated series about five adventurous animal friends. One episode showed them going on an imaginary mission to Mars. Carson turned to her father and said, “Daddy, I want to be an astronaut and go to Mars.” It wasn't a childhood dream that would fade away. She started reading books on Mars and by the age of six, she was memorising Martian maps. When her father asked her what she was doing, she replied, "When we get to Mars, I need to know where we are." At age seven, she attended her first NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Soon she became the only person to attend all three NASA Space Camps in the world: the US, Canada, and Turkey. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/red-planet-ready-for-humans-scientists-locate-potential-settlement-zone-on-mars-1751123153145">Red Planet ready for humans? Scientists locate potential settlement zone on Mars</a>&nbsp;<h2>By 13, Carson was speaking about Mars on TEDx talks</h2>At the age of 11, Carson delivered her first public talk to hundreds of kids at a camp. The next year, she became the youngest panellist at a NASA-hosted Mars conference in Washington. At 13, she gave TEDx talks on Mars in Romania, Austria, and Greece. Her love for Mars brought her face-to-face with NASA administrators and scientists. At 15, in 2016, Alyssa was already training to survive in space. She was the youngest person ever accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Academy. After graduating, she was officially certified to go to space as a research astronaut trainee. The same year, she also earned her pilot’s license. Right now, a one-way trip to Mars will take six months. Alyssa thinks that technological advancements can cut down the journey to six weeks. She has been taking part in simulations and survival training to prepare for Mars. She is sure that one day a human will step on Mars, and she wants to be the first one to do so.&nbsp;

Alyssa Carson, a 24-year-old, dreams of becoming the first human to land on Mars. She has been training for it her entire life, and is positive that humans will go to Mars soon. Her story is an inspiration for millions of young girls. 

Elon Musk wants to land humans on Mars in the next decade. NASA also dreams of colonising the red planet. Earth is getting too hot, and to ensure the survival of the human species, experts are looking towards Mars. But who are these humans who will be sent to Mars once everything is in place? The mission would require special training, and one girl has been part of the plan for almost her entire life. Meet Alyssa Carson, the 24-year-old who has long been touted to be one of the first humans to go to Mars. She lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has dreamt of going to the Red Planet since she was three. Carson could become the first human to land on Mars. She is preparing for the mission of a lifetime and knows that it might be a one-way trip. Her NASA callsign is ‘NASA Blueberry,’ and she is currently studying for a PhD in Astrobiology. Also Read: GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years cosmic monster detected in space should not exist Alyssa Carson dreams of becoming first human on Mars When is this mission due? A human mission to Mars is currently scheduled for 2033, and Carson is determined to become the first to get on the spacecraft. The 24-year-old recently appeared on on the Flight Club Podcast and spoke about the importance of sending humans to Mars, and how that will change the way Earthlings look at the red planet. Carson said that after Earth, Mars is the most studied planet, and naturally becomes the next step in space exploration. "I think that we’ve always been interested in Mars, in fact, next to Earth, Mars is our most studied planet… I think with the natural progression…within the space industry, Mars is kind of like our next destination," she said. Carson stated that humans have been fascinated with the potential for life on Mars. NASA, ESA and other space agencies have landed rovers on the red planet to explore the barren land that scientists think can become our next home. Also Read: City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk? Alyssa Carson's Mars dream started at 3, and continues Carson believes, that despite all this, “nothing can compete with the amount of information we’re able to gain once we send people to Mars.” Carson's fascination with going to Mars started at the age of three. She picked on the idea from The Backyardigans, an animated series about five adventurous animal friends. One episode showed them going on an imaginary mission to Mars. Carson turned to her father and said, “Daddy, I want to be an astronaut and go to Mars.” It wasn't a childhood dream that would fade away. She started reading books on Mars and by the age of six, she was memorising Martian maps. When her father asked her what she was doing, she replied, "When we get to Mars, I need to know where we are." At age seven, she attended her first NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Soon she became the only person to attend all three NASA Space Camps in the world: the US, Canada, and Turkey. Also Read: Red Planet ready for humans? Scientists locate potential settlement zone on Mars By 13, Carson was speaking about Mars on TEDx talks At the age of 11, Carson delivered her first public talk to hundreds of kids at a camp. The next year, she became the youngest panellist at a NASA-hosted Mars conference in Washington. At 13, she gave TEDx talks on Mars in Romania, Austria, and Greece. Her love for Mars brought her face-to-face with NASA administrators and scientists. At 15, in 2016, Alyssa was already training to survive in space. She was the youngest person ever accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Academy. After graduating, she was officially certified to go to space as a research astronaut trainee. The same year, she also earned her pilot’s license. Right now, a one-way trip to Mars will take six months. Alyssa thinks that technological advancements can cut down the journey to six weeks. She has been taking part in simulations and survival training to prepare for Mars. She is sure that one day a human will step on Mars, and she wants to be the first one to do so.

Alyssa Carson, a 24-year-old, dreams of becoming the first human to land on Mars. She has been training for it her entire life, and is positive that humans will go to Mars soon. Her story is an inspiration for millions of young girls.&nbsp;

Alyssa Carson, the 24-year-old training to be first human to step foot on Mars since the age of 3

Before rockets, astronomers like Camille Flammarion used telescopes and imagination to explore Mars. He blended science and fiction, creating maps and stories that inspired many. His ideas shaped early views of martian life and still influence space dreams today.

Before rockets, astronomers like Camille Flammarion used telescopes and imagination to explore Mars. He blended science and fiction, creating maps and stories that inspired many. His ideas shaped early views of martian life and still influence space dreams today.

How a 19th-century astronomer imagined life on Mars and mapped it from Earth: What did they see?

The Curiosity Rover has spotted a mushroom on Mars, leading some alien enthusiasts to proclaim that we have found "life" on the red planet. The rover took a photo on the Martian surface, which shows an object similar to a mushroom. It is not a new discovery, as the rover took the image in 2013. It went into the archives and has now been found by UFO hunter Scott Waring.The object appears to have a stem like a regular mushroom with a canopy on top. Waring says he is "not sure how or why NASA could overlook such a thing," since NASA has been trying to "find life on other planets and moons."&nbsp;Waring says the space agency should have used the expensive equipment on board Curiosity to examine the structure. After finding the photo, he strongly believes that a mushroom "pushed up out of the Mars dirt."&nbsp;"NASA should have poked it, bumped it, knocked it over, cut it open with their tools on the Curiosity rover," Waring said.<h2>People think NASA is not telling everything</h2>People are also questioning the reason for NASA ignoring this image, while some simply think that the space agency is keeping secrets from the public.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-comet-discovered-2-billion-kilometres-from-sun-is-acting-in-a-bizarre-way-1750143967728">Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way</a>&nbsp;A user wrote on social media, "Looks like a mushroom to me! NASA know far more about MARS than they let on."&nbsp;Curiosity was launched in 2011 and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater in 2012. Its primary purpose is to hunt for evidence that life once existed on Mars. So why didn't NASA pursue this Martian "mushroom."&nbsp;For one, scientists do not think it is a mushroom, but merely two rocks placed on top of one another. Besides, the conditions on Mars mean that no form of life can currently thrive on the surface of the red planet.&nbsp;<h2>Possible explanations for mushroom on Mars?</h2>&nbsp;Dr Gareth Dorrian, a planetary physicist from the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline that the mushroom could be a geological formation from billions of years ago when liquid water flowed on Mars.&nbsp;It could also be two rocks, with the top one having gradually settled onto the bottom one as the wind blows away the sand and dust.&nbsp;Besides, the current conditions on Mars are just not ripe to support life. Dorrian points out that the atmospheric pressure at the Martian surface is extremely thin. This allows ultraviolet and particle radiation to constantly bombard the planet. The radiation is known to damage complex molecules like DNA.&nbsp;The temperatures on Mars range from 20°C during the day to -100°C at night. Dorrian says, "No known forms of life can simultaneously tolerate these extremes of temperatures, radiation levels, and low atmospheric pressure." &nbsp;

A photo taken by Curiosity rover in 2013 shows a mushroom-like object on Mars. NASA did not pursue it further, and now that the image has been revealed, people are asking why not.

The Curiosity Rover has spotted a mushroom on Mars, leading some alien enthusiasts to proclaim that we have found "life" on the red planet. The rover took a photo on the Martian surface, which shows an object similar to a mushroom. It is not a new discovery, as the rover took the image in 2013. It went into the archives and has now been found by UFO hunter Scott Waring. The object appears to have a stem like a regular mushroom with a canopy on top. Waring says he is "not sure how or why NASA could overlook such a thing," since NASA has been trying to "find life on other planets and moons." Waring says the space agency should have used the expensive equipment on board Curiosity to examine the structure. After finding the photo, he strongly believes that a mushroom "pushed up out of the Mars dirt." "NASA should have poked it, bumped it, knocked it over, cut it open with their tools on the Curiosity rover," Waring said. People think NASA is not telling everything People are also questioning the reason for NASA ignoring this image, while some simply think that the space agency is keeping secrets from the public. Also Read: Only 1 of 5: Comet discovered 2 billion kilometres from Sun is acting in a bizarre way A user wrote on social media, "Looks like a mushroom to me! NASA know far more about MARS than they let on." Curiosity was launched in 2011 and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater in 2012. Its primary purpose is to hunt for evidence that life once existed on Mars. So why didn't NASA pursue this Martian "mushroom." For one, scientists do not think it is a mushroom, but merely two rocks placed on top of one another. Besides, the conditions on Mars mean that no form of life can currently thrive on the surface of the red planet. Possible explanations for mushroom on Mars? Dr Gareth Dorrian, a planetary physicist from the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline that the mushroom could be a geological formation from billions of years ago when liquid water flowed on Mars. It could also be two rocks, with the top one having gradually settled onto the bottom one as the wind blows away the sand and dust. Besides, the current conditions on Mars are just not ripe to support life. Dorrian points out that the atmospheric pressure at the Martian surface is extremely thin. This allows ultraviolet and particle radiation to constantly bombard the planet. The radiation is known to damage complex molecules like DNA. The temperatures on Mars range from 20°C during the day to -100°C at night. Dorrian says, "No known forms of life can simultaneously tolerate these extremes of temperatures, radiation levels, and low atmospheric pressure."

A photo taken by Curiosity rover in 2013 shows a mushroom-like object on Mars. NASA did not pursue it further, and now that the image has been revealed, people are asking why not.

Did NASA find life on Mars in 2013? Curiosity photo of a 'mushroom' raises suspicion

Astronomers across the world are obsessed with Mars today, sending probes and rovers out to the red planet. They believe Mars is the only option humans have to survive in a changing world. Now, scientists have found an object on Earth that can survive the harsh condition of Mars.

A group of biologists has discovered an item from Earth that can survive on Mars. They exposed it to the setting of a Martian environment and were surprised to find that it was extremely resilient to the harsh conditions.&nbsp;

The one object that can not only survive on Mars, but also multiply in its harsh environment

SpaceX Starship flight 9 launched from Starbase, Texas, on 27 may 2025. The 400-foot rocket reached space, completed stage separation, and returned its super heavy booster. Shared live, the flight adds to Starship's progress toward moon and Mars missions.


SpaceX Starship flight 9 launched from Starbase, Texas, on 27 may 2025. The 400-foot rocket reached space, completed stage separation, and returned its super heavy booster. Shared live, the flight adds to Starship's progress toward moon and Mars missions.

SpaceX flight 9 marks progress toward Moon and Mars goals (See photos)

Elon Musk has once again spoken about his plans of colonising Mars in a company talk shared by SpaceX on its X page. The CEO of the company is hopeful of sending the Starship carrying a simulated crew to Mars at the end of 2026. He reiterated the need for humans to have a backup ready in case they do "something crazy, like World War III."&nbsp;The video was originally meant to be released on Tuesday, on the day the ninth test flight of Starship was launched. However, it failed miserably. The company then dropped the 42-minute video on Thursday.&nbsp;Musk said that there is a 50-50 chance that the Starship would meet the 2026 deadline. Dec is when the tiny window opens when the red planet and Earth come at the closest distance to each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-martian-saw-humans-on-mars-in-2035-starship-musk-spacex-1748346270101">When will humans land on Mars? The Martian bet on 2035. With 10 years left, how far are we from it becoming a reality?</a>&nbsp;However, if that doesn't happen, then SpaceX will wait till 2028 since Mars reaches perigee only once every two years. The crew would comprise Optimus humanoid robots that Tesla builds."That would be an epic picture — to see Optimus walking around on the surface of Mars," he said.&nbsp;<h2>Humans have to become multi-planetary, says Musk</h2>&nbsp;It isn't known when the video was shot. After the Tuesday test launch of Starship failed, Musk said that the company would try to learn from it. During the talk, Musk also reiterated the need to learn and make life multi-planetary.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deep-space-radio-signals-cosmic-mystery-object-pulsar-magnetar-1748517706567">44 minutes apart, 2 minutes every time: Something from deep space is sending signals to Earth</a>&nbsp;“Each launch is about learning more and more about what’s needed to make life multi-planetary and to improve Starship to the point where it can be taking, ultimately, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people to Mars," he said.&nbsp;Musk again stressed the need for humans to become multiplanetary, because this is important "for the long-term survival of civilisation." He claims a species that has options to go to other planets lasts 10 times longer. Musk also think it is important to have Mars as an option if humans do "something crazy like World War III."&nbsp;“Hopefully not, but it’s possible.”&nbsp;<h2>Refuelling Starship mid-space is a challenge</h2>&nbsp;The main hurdle, Musk says, that SpaceX faces in this venture is mastering off-Earth refuelling of the Ship.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-forms-rings-because-of-phobos-1747806749752"> Saturn is not the only planet with rings. Our close neighbour also had them, and they will return</a>&nbsp;If all goes well, then Musk will start sending humans to Mars by the start of the next decade. Between 2028 and 2029, around 20 ships will be sent to the Red Planet.&nbsp;"Assuming the first missions are successful and they land successfully, we'd send humans on the next mission, and we really start building the infrastructure for Mars," Musk said.&nbsp;He even has a place picked out on Mars where humans can survive. Arcadia Planitia is a volcanic plain in the northern hemisphere, which is away from the freezing Martian poles, is flat enough for a landing, and also likely has water ice.&nbsp;SpaceX plans on sending 100 Starships to Mars between 2030 and 2031, scaling it up to 500 in 2033, as seen in a slide in Musk's presentation. The end goal is to build a self-sustaining society comprising over a million people on Mars who can live without any help from Earth. &nbsp;

Musk plans to send Starship to Mars next year. He told his employees during a company talk that becoming multiplanetary is essential for the survival of human beings. 

Elon Musk has once again spoken about his plans of colonising Mars in a company talk shared by SpaceX on its X page. The CEO of the company is hopeful of sending the Starship carrying a simulated crew to Mars at the end of 2026. He reiterated the need for humans to have a backup ready in case they do "something crazy, like World War III." The video was originally meant to be released on Tuesday, on the day the ninth test flight of Starship was launched. However, it failed miserably. The company then dropped the 42-minute video on Thursday. Musk said that there is a 50-50 chance that the Starship would meet the 2026 deadline. Dec is when the tiny window opens when the red planet and Earth come at the closest distance to each other. Also Read: When will humans land on Mars? The Martian bet on 2035. With 10 years left, how far are we from it becoming a reality? However, if that doesn't happen, then SpaceX will wait till 2028 since Mars reaches perigee only once every two years. The crew would comprise Optimus humanoid robots that Tesla builds. "That would be an epic picture — to see Optimus walking around on the surface of Mars," he said. Humans have to become multi-planetary, says Musk It isn't known when the video was shot. After the Tuesday test launch of Starship failed, Musk said that the company would try to learn from it. During the talk, Musk also reiterated the need to learn and make life multi-planetary. Also Read: 44 minutes apart, 2 minutes every time: Something from deep space is sending signals to Earth “Each launch is about learning more and more about what’s needed to make life multi-planetary and to improve Starship to the point where it can be taking, ultimately, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people to Mars," he said. Musk again stressed the need for humans to become multiplanetary, because this is important "for the long-term survival of civilisation." He claims a species that has options to go to other planets lasts 10 times longer. Musk also think it is important to have Mars as an option if humans do "something crazy like World War III." “Hopefully not, but it’s possible.” Refuelling Starship mid-space is a challenge The main hurdle, Musk says, that SpaceX faces in this venture is mastering off-Earth refuelling of the Ship. Also Read: Saturn is not the only planet with rings. Our close neighbour also had them, and they will return If all goes well, then Musk will start sending humans to Mars by the start of the next decade. Between 2028 and 2029, around 20 ships will be sent to the Red Planet. "Assuming the first missions are successful and they land successfully, we'd send humans on the next mission, and we really start building the infrastructure for Mars," Musk said. He even has a place picked out on Mars where humans can survive. Arcadia Planitia is a volcanic plain in the northern hemisphere, which is away from the freezing Martian poles, is flat enough for a landing, and also likely has water ice. SpaceX plans on sending 100 Starships to Mars between 2030 and 2031, scaling it up to 500 in 2033, as seen in a slide in Musk's presentation. The end goal is to build a self-sustaining society comprising over a million people on Mars who can live without any help from Earth.

Musk plans to send Starship to Mars next year. He told his employees during a company talk that becoming multiplanetary is essential for the survival of human beings.&nbsp;

'Something crazy, like World War III': Mars will save humans if a catastrophic conflict breaks out, Musk says

When fiction meets reality, it makes for an interesting concoction. Especially when it involves science fiction. Several films have portrayed humans going to other planets, exploring the unknown. The 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, had astronauts and a supercomputer visiting Jupiter. But humans are still not even close to going to Jupiter.&nbsp;Then we had the Back To The Future series showing a time machine built from a modified DeLorean.In 2015, The Martian was released, which showed that humans had landed on Mars thrice by the year 2035. However, that seems like a far-fetched reality right now. Once again, reality is not even close to what writers imagined in books and films.&nbsp;<h2>Musk has grand plans for Mars and humans</h2>&nbsp;Mars is on the radar of NASA, including Elon Musk, a billionaire who is at the forefront of working to land humans on the red planet. He dreams of sending people to Mars in the next five years. His ambitious plans centre around the idea that Earth will soon become unlivable for humans, and Mars is the best bet for survival.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/mars-had-lakes-and-water-honeycomb-waffle-structures-red-planet-9064048">NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago</a>&nbsp;The SpaceX CEO says Mars is a "life insurance" for humanity. Talking to Fox News, Musk said, "All life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun. The sun is gradually expanding, and so we do at some point need to be a multi-planet civilisation because Earth will be incinerated."&nbsp;Musk's company has made Starship, a mammoth rocket which he hopes will ultimately fulfil his desire. Musk wants to build a self-sustaining city on the Red Planet. His vision includes a society on Mars that can survive and grow even if "the resupply ships from Earth stop coming for any reason, whether that is because civilisation died with a bang or a whimper."&nbsp;<h2>NASA funding cut</h2>&nbsp;However, will that dream ever become a reality is hard to tell. In fact, after Trump took over as President of the United States this year, the NASA budget has been cut. This has directly affected the Artemis mission, which aims to land humans on the Moon first. However, that looks to be in a jeopardy now.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-forms-rings-because-of-phobos-1747806749752">NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago</a>&nbsp;With a trip to the moon looking bleak, Mars has moved even farther away from us. Scientists planned to use the Moon as a stepping stone for Mars. They plan to build a base on the moon from which humans would be able to move to Mars.&nbsp;What continues to work are the probes NASA and other space agencies have sent to Mars. Perseverance and Curiosity Mars rovers are making stunning discoveries on the red planet, finding sulfur-filled stones, rocks with strange patterns, proof of a water world billions of years ago, and more.&nbsp;However, looking at the current state of affairs, it doesn't seem like humans will land on Mars by 2035. Matt Damon might have grown potatoes on Mars, but for now, it continues to remain barren, and probably will for several more years.&nbsp;

The Martian released 10 years ago, and showed humans on Mars in 2035. With another 10 years to go before that time finally comes, how close are humans to actually landing on Mars? 

When fiction meets reality, it makes for an interesting concoction. Especially when it involves science fiction. Several films have portrayed humans going to other planets, exploring the unknown. The 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, had astronauts and a supercomputer visiting Jupiter. But humans are still not even close to going to Jupiter. Then we had the Back To The Future series showing a time machine built from a modified DeLorean. In 2015, The Martian was released, which showed that humans had landed on Mars thrice by the year 2035. However, that seems like a far-fetched reality right now. Once again, reality is not even close to what writers imagined in books and films. Musk has grand plans for Mars and humans Mars is on the radar of NASA, including Elon Musk, a billionaire who is at the forefront of working to land humans on the red planet. He dreams of sending people to Mars in the next five years. His ambitious plans centre around the idea that Earth will soon become unlivable for humans, and Mars is the best bet for survival. Also Read: NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago The SpaceX CEO says Mars is a "life insurance" for humanity. Talking to Fox News, Musk said, "All life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun. The sun is gradually expanding, and so we do at some point need to be a multi-planet civilisation because Earth will be incinerated." Musk's company has made Starship, a mammoth rocket which he hopes will ultimately fulfil his desire. Musk wants to build a self-sustaining city on the Red Planet. His vision includes a society on Mars that can survive and grow even if "the resupply ships from Earth stop coming for any reason, whether that is because civilisation died with a bang or a whimper." NASA funding cut However, will that dream ever become a reality is hard to tell. In fact, after Trump took over as President of the United States this year, the NASA budget has been cut. This has directly affected the Artemis mission, which aims to land humans on the Moon first. However, that looks to be in a jeopardy now. Also Read: NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago With a trip to the moon looking bleak, Mars has moved even farther away from us. Scientists planned to use the Moon as a stepping stone for Mars. They plan to build a base on the moon from which humans would be able to move to Mars. What continues to work are the probes NASA and other space agencies have sent to Mars. Perseverance and Curiosity Mars rovers are making stunning discoveries on the red planet, finding sulfur-filled stones, rocks with strange patterns, proof of a water world billions of years ago, and more. However, looking at the current state of affairs, it doesn't seem like humans will land on Mars by 2035. Matt Damon might have grown potatoes on Mars, but for now, it continues to remain barren, and probably will for several more years.

The Martian released 10 years ago, and showed humans on Mars in 2035. With another 10 years to go before that time finally comes, how close are humans to actually landing on Mars?&nbsp;

When will humans land on Mars? The Martian bet on 2035. With 10 years left, how far are we from it becoming a reality?

In 2005, NASA’s Spirit rover captured a rare Martian sunset over Gusev crater. With a bluish glow, longer twilight, and a smaller Sun, this stunning image reveals the unique beauty and science of sunsets on Mars, unlike anything on Earth.

In 2005, NASA’s Spirit rover captured a rare Martian sunset over Gusev crater. With a bluish glow, longer twilight, and a smaller Sun, this stunning image reveals the unique beauty and science of sunsets on Mars, unlike anything on Earth.

NASA releases haunting 2005 image of Mars taken by Spirit rover (See photos)

China's Tiangong Space Station was unknowingly playing host to a bacterium which is completely new to humans, and no one knew about it until much later. The revelation was made in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.&nbsp;The new species of bacteria was spotted in June 2023. The microbe has been named Niallia tiangongensis and was found in surface samples from the Tiangong Space Station. They were carried back to Earth by the Shenzhou 15 mission. It is almost identical to Niallia circulans, a species of terrestrial bacteria.&nbsp;This is the first time a new microbial species has been isolated on China's low Earth orbit space station. The bacteria are aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped in nature.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/bacteria-that-can-survive-in-space-and-contaminate-planets-found-on-earth-9062813">Bacteria found invading cleanroom can heal itself and survive space radiation</a>&nbsp;<h2>Bacterial strain from Tiangong has genetic variations</h2>&nbsp;Even though it is somewhat similar to the terrestrial species mentioned above, the strain found in strain has significant genetic variations. Scientists believe the discovery will help researchers understand the evolution of microbes outside Earth. It was also found to have the unique capability of decomposing gelatine, a feature which can sustain life in settings ideally not suited for life.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/human-teeth-can-regrow-in-five-years-one-creature-can-already-do-so-1747732642723">20,000 teeth in a lifetime: Scientists are working to regrow human teeth. One creature can already do so</a>&nbsp;The paper states that two proteins in Niallia tiangongensis underwent structural and functional modifications. This could enhance the bacterium's biofilm formation capacity, and also help repair itself from radiation damage.&nbsp;<h2>Can bacteria found on Tiangong harm astronauts?</h2>&nbsp;Whether the bacteria can impact astronauts is not known yet. However, it is important to understand how the bacterium mutates and grows to avoid future contaminations, especially since humans are trying to go to the moon and Mars. Previously, bacterial strains have also been found on the International Space Station (ISS). Scientists think these bacteria could be the key to growing food on Mars.&nbsp;A few weeks back, it was announced that novel organisms were discovered in cleanrooms where work on NASA space missions is carried out. Indian scientists, along with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and institutes in Saudi Arabia, discovered 26 species of bacteria that can withstand the harsh environment of space.&nbsp;Some of the microorganisms among the 26 are known as extremophiles. These extremophiles can spill into space and survive the radiation-filled environment.

China's Tiangong Space Station is teeming with a new species of bacteria. The discovery can have implications for future space travel since the strain can possibly withstand hard radiation.

China's Tiangong Space Station was unknowingly playing host to a bacterium which is completely new to humans, and no one knew about it until much later. The revelation was made in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The new species of bacteria was spotted in June 2023. The microbe has been named Niallia tiangongensis and was found in surface samples from the Tiangong Space Station. They were carried back to Earth by the Shenzhou 15 mission. It is almost identical to Niallia circulans, a species of terrestrial bacteria. This is the first time a new microbial species has been isolated on China's low Earth orbit space station. The bacteria are aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped in nature. Also Read: Bacteria found invading cleanroom can heal itself and survive space radiation Bacterial strain from Tiangong has genetic variations Even though it is somewhat similar to the terrestrial species mentioned above, the strain found in strain has significant genetic variations. Scientists believe the discovery will help researchers understand the evolution of microbes outside Earth. It was also found to have the unique capability of decomposing gelatine, a feature which can sustain life in settings ideally not suited for life. Also Read: 20,000 teeth in a lifetime: Scientists are working to regrow human teeth. One creature can already do so The paper states that two proteins in Niallia tiangongensis underwent structural and functional modifications. This could enhance the bacterium's biofilm formation capacity, and also help repair itself from radiation damage. Can bacteria found on Tiangong harm astronauts? Whether the bacteria can impact astronauts is not known yet. However, it is important to understand how the bacterium mutates and grows to avoid future contaminations, especially since humans are trying to go to the moon and Mars. Previously, bacterial strains have also been found on the International Space Station (ISS). Scientists think these bacteria could be the key to growing food on Mars. A few weeks back, it was announced that novel organisms were discovered in cleanrooms where work on NASA space missions is carried out. Indian scientists, along with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and institutes in Saudi Arabia, discovered 26 species of bacteria that can withstand the harsh environment of space. Some of the microorganisms among the 26 are known as extremophiles. These extremophiles can spill into space and survive the radiation-filled environment.

China's Tiangong Space Station is teeming with a new species of bacteria. The discovery can have implications for future space travel since the strain can possibly withstand hard radiation.

New bacteria found on Tiangong Space Station can possibly help grow plants on Mars

Of the eight planets in our solar system, four have rings - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. However, in the coming years, a fifth name might also be added to the list. Our neighbouring planet, Mars, is believed to form rings in the next 50 million to 70 million years. Surprisingly, this would not be the first time that the red planet would have rings. Scientists think that Mars has had rings in the past, shedding them and later again embracing them.&nbsp;The rings around Mars are a result of its moon Phobos. According to studies, Phobos disintegrates at a certain point in its life, and the debris surrounds the planet to form the rings.Phobos is one of Mars' two moons, the other one being Deimos.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mysterious-structure-under-mars-can-force-olympus-mons-volcano-to-erupt-9074517">Mysterious structure detected under Mars can alter long-held belief about red planet</a>&nbsp;The former is slowly moving towards the planet, inching closer by about six feet every 100 years. At this rate, scientists say that Phobos will either crash into the planet or break apart.&nbsp;<h2>NASA studies on Mars and its moons</h2>&nbsp;NASA has carried out studies to learn more about Mars and its moons. One of them, conducted at Purdue University, noted that a cosmic body slammed into Mars around 4.3 billion years ago. The resulting debris spread around the planet, forming a ring. Over millions of years, this debris clumped together to create Phobos, Mars's moon.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/mars-had-lakes-and-water-honeycomb-waffle-structures-red-planet-9064048">NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago</a>&nbsp;This process is not a one-time thing. In fact, they discovered that Phobos regularly breaks apart, creating the temporary ring and later comes back together again to form the moon. Every time this process happens, the resulting moon is five times smaller than the previous one.&nbsp;<h2>Why is Phobos getting closer to Mars?</h2>&nbsp;Phobos is being pulled towards Mars by the planet's gravitational force. At one stage, it reaches the Roche limit. At this distance, the planet's tidal forces destroy Phobos since it is only held together by gravity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/600-million-light-years-away-two-black-holes-are-caught-in-a-cosmic-mystery-9051067">This black hole can hold 1 million suns, but an even bigger monster near it poses a mystery</a>&nbsp;David Minton and Andrew Hesselbrock, who carried out the study at Purdue, believe this has already happened about three to seven times in the history of the planet.&nbsp;<h2>What about Mars' other moon, Deimos?</h2>&nbsp;Deimos is much farther away from Mars than Phobos. It is in an orbit at a distance of 23,460 km, while Phobos is only 6,000 km from Mars. Deimos is on exactly the opposite trajectory from Phobos.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/600-million-light-years-away-two-black-holes-are-caught-in-a-cosmic-mystery-9051067">Dead star travelling at 3.2mn km/h made kinks in cosmic 'snake'; radio signal offers clues</a>&nbsp;It is slowly moving away from Mars and is expected to escape its orbit in the coming years.&nbsp;<h2>Can Earth have rings?</h2>&nbsp;The scenario of our moon crashing into Earth is not likely since it is in a stable orbit. It is 384,400 km away from the planet, much farther than Phobos and Deimos are to Mars. In fact, our moon is also moving away from us, shifting about a few centimetres every year. However, it can change course in the distant future if things change in the solar system.

Mars had rings in the past and it can happen again. It has been engaged in a tussle with one of its moon for billions of years, and the fight is not expected to be over any time soon.

Of the eight planets in our solar system, four have rings - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. However, in the coming years, a fifth name might also be added to the list. Our neighbouring planet, Mars, is believed to form rings in the next 50 million to 70 million years. Surprisingly, this would not be the first time that the red planet would have rings. Scientists think that Mars has had rings in the past, shedding them and later again embracing them. The rings around Mars are a result of its moon Phobos. According to studies, Phobos disintegrates at a certain point in its life, and the debris surrounds the planet to form the rings. Phobos is one of Mars' two moons, the other one being Deimos. Also Read: Mysterious structure detected under Mars can alter long-held belief about red planet The former is slowly moving towards the planet, inching closer by about six feet every 100 years. At this rate, scientists say that Phobos will either crash into the planet or break apart. NASA studies on Mars and its moons NASA has carried out studies to learn more about Mars and its moons. One of them, conducted at Purdue University, noted that a cosmic body slammed into Mars around 4.3 billion years ago. The resulting debris spread around the planet, forming a ring. Over millions of years, this debris clumped together to create Phobos, Mars's moon. Also Read: NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago This process is not a one-time thing. In fact, they discovered that Phobos regularly breaks apart, creating the temporary ring and later comes back together again to form the moon. Every time this process happens, the resulting moon is five times smaller than the previous one. Why is Phobos getting closer to Mars? Phobos is being pulled towards Mars by the planet's gravitational force. At one stage, it reaches the Roche limit. At this distance, the planet's tidal forces destroy Phobos since it is only held together by gravity. Also Read: This black hole can hold 1 million suns, but an even bigger monster near it poses a mystery David Minton and Andrew Hesselbrock, who carried out the study at Purdue, believe this has already happened about three to seven times in the history of the planet. What about Mars' other moon, Deimos? Deimos is much farther away from Mars than Phobos. It is in an orbit at a distance of 23,460 km, while Phobos is only 6,000 km from Mars. Deimos is on exactly the opposite trajectory from Phobos. Also Read: Dead star travelling at 3.2mn km/h made kinks in cosmic 'snake'; radio signal offers clues It is slowly moving away from Mars and is expected to escape its orbit in the coming years. Can Earth have rings? The scenario of our moon crashing into Earth is not likely since it is in a stable orbit. It is 384,400 km away from the planet, much farther than Phobos and Deimos are to Mars. In fact, our moon is also moving away from us, shifting about a few centimetres every year. However, it can change course in the distant future if things change in the solar system.

Mars had rings in the past and it can happen again. It has been engaged in a tussle with one of its moon for billions of years, and the fight is not expected to be over any time soon.

Saturn is not the only planet with rings. Our close neighbour also had them, and they will return

Scientists have discovered giant mysterious structures under the surface of Mars, as detailed in a paper. These formations are buried deep within the red planet in a vast volcanic region and run for kilometres.&nbsp;
Lurking under Tharsis Montes on Mars is an anomaly that has stumped scientists. This region has long fascinated researchers as it houses the largest volcano of the solar system is located Olympus Mons. There are three other volcanoes here - Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons. However, Mars no longer has any active volcanoes.
The paper states that these structures measure around 1,750 kilometres across and are located at a depth of 1,100 kilometres. The mass is light and is believed to be rising from the mantle of Mars. The authors think the discovery hints at the possibility that certain geological processes continue to occur inside the red planet to date, leading to the birth of new volcanic structures on the surface.
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The study was published in the journal JGR: Planets last year. It was led by Dr Bart Root of the Delft University of Technology.
<h2>Can volcanoes on Mars become active again?</h2>
The Tharsis Montes is believed to be only a few tens of millions of years old. Scientists have been interested in the region because of the presence of massive volcanoes. However, none of them are active today. The researchers suspect that what they have identified under the surface of this volcanic area shows that "active volcanism" might become a possibility in the future.&nbsp;
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They say the structure is a mantle plume rising up under Tharsis Montes. "[The findings] suggest that a plume head is currently flowing upward towards the lithosphere to generate active volcanism in the geological future," the authors state in the paper.
If this plume were to ever reach the surface, it could trigger the volcanoes to erupt. This could very well happen since scientists say the Tharsis Montes is at a higher elevation than the rest of the surface of the red planet, meaning something is pushing it upwards.&nbsp;
<h2>Anomalies in Mars' north pole</h2>
They also found other gravitational anomalies in Mars' northern polar plains. The study notes the presence of dense structures under a thick, smooth sediment layer likely sitting on an ancient sea.&nbsp;
&ldquo;There are around 20 features of varying sizes that we have identified dotted around the area surrounding the north polar cap &ndash; one of which resembles the shape of a dog," Dr Root said.
A new mission will be launched to study the structures in the North Pole and will be called Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuls).

Mars today no longer has active volcanoes. But that might change because of a mysterious structure lurking under the surface of Tharsis Montes, a volcanic region. Science & Tech Trending

Scientists have discovered giant mysterious structures under the surface of Mars, as detailed in a paper. These formations are buried deep within the red planet in a vast volcanic region and run for kilometres. Lurking under Tharsis Montes on Mars is an anomaly that has stumped scientists. This region has long fascinated researchers as it houses the largest volcano of the solar system is located Olympus Mons. There are three other volcanoes here - Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons. However, Mars no longer has any active volcanoes. The paper states that these structures measure around 1,750 kilometres across and are located at a depth of 1,100 kilometres. The mass is light and is believed to be rising from the mantle of Mars. The authors think the discovery hints at the possibility that certain geological processes continue to occur inside the red planet to date, leading to the birth of new volcanic structures on the surface. Also Read: Sunspot that released 1 million kilometre solar flare may soon face Earth. What to expect? The study was published in the journal JGR: Planets last year. It was led by Dr Bart Root of the Delft University of Technology. Can volcanoes on Mars become active again? The Tharsis Montes is believed to be only a few tens of millions of years old. Scientists have been interested in the region because of the presence of massive volcanoes. However, none of them are active today. The researchers suspect that what they have identified under the surface of this volcanic area shows that "active volcanism" might become a possibility in the future. Also Read: NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago They say the structure is a mantle plume rising up under Tharsis Montes. "[The findings] suggest that a plume head is currently flowing upward towards the lithosphere to generate active volcanism in the geological future," the authors state in the paper. If this plume were to ever reach the surface, it could trigger the volcanoes to erupt. This could very well happen since scientists say the Tharsis Montes is at a higher elevation than the rest of the surface of the red planet, meaning something is pushing it upwards. Anomalies in Mars' north pole They also found other gravitational anomalies in Mars' northern polar plains. The study notes the presence of dense structures under a thick, smooth sediment layer likely sitting on an ancient sea. “There are around 20 features of varying sizes that we have identified dotted around the area surrounding the north polar cap – one of which resembles the shape of a dog," Dr Root said. A new mission will be launched to study the structures in the North Pole and will be called Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuls).

Mysterious structure detected under Mars can alter long-held belief about red planet

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured auroras on Mars in wavelengths visible to the naked eye. This is the first time such an aurora was seen on the red planet. NASA stated that the aurora was green in colour and occurred on March 18, 2024. The Sun released a chunk of plasma toward Mars, which resulted in an auroral display across the Martian sky.&nbsp;
NASA scientists got the Perseverance rover to look upwards, thus capturing visible aurora on Mars for the first time. Auroras have been seen on the red planet before as well, but they have all been in ultraviolet wavelengths. Perseverance&rsquo;s SuperCam spectrometer and Mastcam-Z camera were deployed to capture the aurora that was similar to what humans see on Earth.
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The greenish Martian aurora has been mentioned in a new paper published in the journal Science on Wednesday (May 14).
<h2>Solar storms cause auroras</h2>
On Earth, auroras happen when a highly active sun spews plasma and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) towards Earth. The solar particles interact with the magnetic field and the atmosphere, triggering a beautiful display of auroras, mostly in the polar regions.
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Scientists keep an eye on the Sun and have methods to estimate when the solar particles will impact Earth. But for Mars, predicting auroras is hard. Elise Knutsen, a researcher at the University of Oslo and lead author of told Gizmodo, &ldquo;We spent a lot of time developing the exact instrument settings, and fine-tuning the timing of our observations.&rdquo;
"It took three unsuccessful attempts" before the scientists "got it right". "But when we did, it appeared exactly as we had imagined it; as a diffuse green haze, uniform in all directions.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>NASA scientists predicted aurora on Mars for first time</h2>
Knutsen said the team observed a CME travelling towards Mars in March 2024. It decided to investigate whether it would lead to an aurora. The researchers used simulations published online by NASA&rsquo;s Community Coordinated Modeling Center to evaluate the intensity of the expected aurora and if Perseverance would be able to pick it up. It worked on the fourth attempt, and the rover captured Mars' glowing skies for the first time ever.

Auroras visible to the naked eye on Mars for the first time: NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a green aurora on Mars. Science & Tech Trending

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured auroras on Mars in wavelengths visible to the naked eye. This is the first time such an aurora was seen on the red planet. NASA stated that the aurora was green in colour and occurred on March 18, 2024. The Sun released a chunk of plasma toward Mars, which resulted in an auroral display across the Martian sky. NASA scientists got the Perseverance rover to look upwards, thus capturing visible aurora on Mars for the first time. Auroras have been seen on the red planet before as well, but they have all been in ultraviolet wavelengths. Perseverance’s SuperCam spectrometer and Mastcam-Z camera were deployed to capture the aurora that was similar to what humans see on Earth. Also Read: Scientists say the universe will die earlier than expected, in about 1 QUINVIGINTILLION... The greenish Martian aurora has been mentioned in a new paper published in the journal Science on Wednesday (May 14). Solar storms cause auroras On Earth, auroras happen when a highly active sun spews plasma and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) towards Earth. The solar particles interact with the magnetic field and the atmosphere, triggering a beautiful display of auroras, mostly in the polar regions. Also Read: Mammoth mountain range deep under Antarctica hides a 500-million-year-old secret Scientists keep an eye on the Sun and have methods to estimate when the solar particles will impact Earth. But for Mars, predicting auroras is hard. Elise Knutsen, a researcher at the University of Oslo and lead author of told Gizmodo, “We spent a lot of time developing the exact instrument settings, and fine-tuning the timing of our observations.” "It took three unsuccessful attempts" before the scientists "got it right". "But when we did, it appeared exactly as we had imagined it; as a diffuse green haze, uniform in all directions.” NASA scientists predicted aurora on Mars for first time Knutsen said the team observed a CME travelling towards Mars in March 2024. It decided to investigate whether it would lead to an aurora. The researchers used simulations published online by NASA’s Community Coordinated Modeling Center to evaluate the intensity of the expected aurora and if Perseverance would be able to pick it up. It worked on the fourth attempt, and the rover captured Mars' glowing skies for the first time ever.

Green haze on Mars: NASA predicts Martian auroras for first time, Perseverance rover captures it

Mars continues to amaze scientists, especially since the rovers landed and have been making back-to-back stupendous discoveries. Recently, the Mars Curiosity Rover discovered what is being described as "a patchwork of honeycombs, or maybe a patch of waffles". These are nothing but hexagonal shapes discovered inside the Gale Crater.
These structures appear like fractures on the surface, and scientists think they can tell how life must have started on Mars. Curiosity is now analysing their composition, and the data will be used to understand how they were formed.
Dr Catherine O'Connell-Cooper, a planetary geologist at the University of New Brunswick, wrote in a blog post for NASA that such structures have been spotted earlier as well on the red planet, however, these are extremely well-preserved.
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The honeycomb and waffle-like shapes are believed to have formed around 3.6 to 3.8 million years ago. They look similar to what we find on Earth when a lakebed dries up and other drought-hit areas. A similar phenomenon seems to have been at work on Mars as well, with wet and dry cycles believed to have created the cracks.
<h2>How did these cracks form on Mars?</h2>
Weighing their origin, Dr O'Connell-Cooper wrote, "The origin of these cracks is not clear - could they have formed as desiccation cracks as Mars began to get drier, billions of years ago? Or during later periods when groundwater moved through the bedrock?"
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Answers to the puzzle will take time to be revealed. For now, Curiosity has started studying them using a technique called "Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy." NASA scientists will dig into the chemicals hiding in the structure by firing a laser pulse at the surface that will create a small burst of plasma, emitting light.
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The nearby region will also be studied for comparison.&nbsp;
<h2>Honeycombs have been found on Mars before</h2>
The last time similar polygon shapes were spotted on Mars was in 2021 on the slopes of Mount Sharp, a 5 km tall peak in the Gale Crater. Those were initially also believed to have been caused by a dried-up lakebed. However, analysis showed the presence of sulphates above the cracks in a region which once likely had an ancient lake.
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The newer cracks had sulphates, promoting the idea that the lake supposedly dried up many times. This meant that the lake seasonally swelled and dried. On Earth, this process is believed to have given birth to the first organic compounds. You can find them in Greenland, Iceland, and Antarctica.
In 2023, the Chinese Zhurong rover detected 15 massive honeycomb structures dozens of metres under the Martian surface.

These weird structures appear like fractures on the surface, and scientists think they can tell how life must have started on Mars billions of years ago. Science & Tech Trending

Mars continues to amaze scientists, especially since the rovers landed and have been making back-to-back stupendous discoveries. Recently, the Mars Curiosity Rover discovered what is being described as "a patchwork of honeycombs, or maybe a patch of waffles". These are nothing but hexagonal shapes discovered inside the Gale Crater. These structures appear like fractures on the surface, and scientists think they can tell how life must have started on Mars. Curiosity is now analysing their composition, and the data will be used to understand how they were formed. Dr Catherine O'Connell-Cooper, a planetary geologist at the University of New Brunswick, wrote in a blog post for NASA that such structures have been spotted earlier as well on the red planet, however, these are extremely well-preserved. Also Read: Scientists have found a self-healing organism that can survive space radiation The honeycomb and waffle-like shapes are believed to have formed around 3.6 to 3.8 million years ago. They look similar to what we find on Earth when a lakebed dries up and other drought-hit areas. A similar phenomenon seems to have been at work on Mars as well, with wet and dry cycles believed to have created the cracks. How did these cracks form on Mars? Weighing their origin, Dr O'Connell-Cooper wrote, "The origin of these cracks is not clear - could they have formed as desiccation cracks as Mars began to get drier, billions of years ago? Or during later periods when groundwater moved through the bedrock?" Also Read: When will the universe die? In about 1 QUINVIGINTILLION years Answers to the puzzle will take time to be revealed. For now, Curiosity has started studying them using a technique called "Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy." NASA scientists will dig into the chemicals hiding in the structure by firing a laser pulse at the surface that will create a small burst of plasma, emitting light. Also Read: 656-foot asteroid can crash into Earth in 64 years. It will visit us this year as well The nearby region will also be studied for comparison. Honeycombs have been found on Mars before The last time similar polygon shapes were spotted on Mars was in 2021 on the slopes of Mount Sharp, a 5 km tall peak in the Gale Crater. Those were initially also believed to have been caused by a dried-up lakebed. However, analysis showed the presence of sulphates above the cracks in a region which once likely had an ancient lake. Also Read: Scientists identify a flaw that can kill the universe at a moment's notice The newer cracks had sulphates, promoting the idea that the lake supposedly dried up many times. This meant that the lake seasonally swelled and dried. On Earth, this process is believed to have given birth to the first organic compounds. You can find them in Greenland, Iceland, and Antarctica. In 2023, the Chinese Zhurong rover detected 15 massive honeycomb structures dozens of metres under the Martian surface.

NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago

Elon Musk has finally revealed his reasons for pouring in excessive resources into his Mars mission. Musk is not satiated with visuals of flags being placed or footprints being marked on Mars. He plans to colonize Mars, offering a backup planet after Earth is destroyed.

Musk eyes Mars as back-up planet to Earth

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has elaborated on his vision for Mars and has called it a "life insurance" for humanity in the latest interview on Tuesday.
In an interview with Fox News, Musk said, "Mars is life insurance for life collectively. So, eventually, all life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun. The sun is gradually expanding, and so we do at some point need to be a multi-planet civilization because Earth will be incinerated."
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Musk explained that his vision for Mars is more than just landing on the planet and planting flags and laying footprints. He added that his vision encapsulates it&rsquo;s about creating a self-sustaining city.
"The fundamental fork in the road of destiny [is] that Mars is sufficiently self-sustaining and can grow by itself if the resupply ships from Earth stop coming for any reason, whether that is because civilization died with a bang or a whimper...If the resupply ships are necessary for Mars to survive, then we have not created life insurance."
"We've not created life insurance for life collectively. So that's the key point in the future where [the] destiny of life, as we know it, will forever be affected, is when Mars becomes self-sustaining."
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<h2>Musk doesn't regret supporting Trump</h2>
Earlier, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tesla-ceo-regrets-supporting-donald-trump-in-united-states-9029278" rel="dofollow">Musk in an interview with Lara Trump</a> was asked if he regrets supporting Trump, and doing what he has done for President Trump, to which he quipped, "Yes...No..cut that part...I was trying to be funny... You caught me!"
"I think it is essential for Trump to win so that America remained a great ...that we would reach greater heights...Some very basic things needed to happen - secure borders, and safe cities where we can walk around without fear of being attacked, we need to strive to do great things to exceed what we've done in the past."
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-to-add-his-own-city-starbase-to-his-empire-spacex-texas-heres-all-you-need-to-know-9029598">&lsquo;He&rsquo;s trying to colonise&rsquo;: Elon Musk to add his own city, &lsquo;Starbase&rsquo;, to his empire - Here&rsquo;s all you need to know</a>

World | SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has elaborated on his vision for Mars and has called it a "life insurance" for humanity in the latest interview on Tuesday.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has elaborated on his vision for Mars and has called it a "life insurance" for humanity in the latest interview on Tuesday. In an interview with Fox News, Musk said, "Mars is life insurance for life collectively. So, eventually, all life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun. The sun is gradually expanding, and so we do at some point need to be a multi-planet civilization because Earth will be incinerated." Read More | 'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump Musk explained that his vision for Mars is more than just landing on the planet and planting flags and laying footprints. He added that his vision encapsulates it’s about creating a self-sustaining city. "The fundamental fork in the road of destiny [is] that Mars is sufficiently self-sustaining and can grow by itself if the resupply ships from Earth stop coming for any reason, whether that is because civilization died with a bang or a whimper...If the resupply ships are necessary for Mars to survive, then we have not created life insurance." "We've not created life insurance for life collectively. So that's the key point in the future where [the] destiny of life, as we know it, will forever be affected, is when Mars becomes self-sustaining." Read More | This man divided India for 40,000 rupees and caused all Indo-Pak wars | Story of the most unscientific border map Musk doesn't regret supporting Trump Earlier, Musk in an interview with Lara Trump was asked if he regrets supporting Trump, and doing what he has done for President Trump, to which he quipped, "Yes...No..cut that part...I was trying to be funny... You caught me!" "I think it is essential for Trump to win so that America remained a great ...that we would reach greater heights...Some very basic things needed to happen - secure borders, and safe cities where we can walk around without fear of being attacked, we need to strive to do great things to exceed what we've done in the past." Read More | ‘He’s trying to colonise’: Elon Musk to add his own city, ‘Starbase’, to his empire - Here’s all you need to know

'Earth will be incinerated': Elon Musk calls Mars 'life insurance for humanity', issues warning

Scientists have long believed that Mars was once covered with a river and a lake system. NASA&rsquo;s Perseverance rover explored the ancient river delta, which carries proof that a massive river flowed into the Jezero crater, filling it up and creating a large delta billions of years ago. However, the source of this water has not been found yet.
&ldquo;We picked Jezero Crater as a landing site because orbital imagery showed a delta &ndash; clear evidence that a large lake once filled the crater. A lake is a potentially habitable environment, and delta rocks are a great environment for entombing signs of ancient life as fossils in the geologic record,&rdquo; Perseverance&rsquo;s project scientist, Ken Farley of Caltech, said.
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Mars is seen as a cold and dry planet. But researchers believe it was once warm and wet, and according to a new study, the water came from incessant rains. The red planet seemingly witnessed regular rain at one point in its history, which fuelled the vast networks of river valleys and lakes. However,&nbsp;
The study has been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.&nbsp;
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The team of researchers ran computer simulations which showed that the water bodies on Mars weren't formed by the melted ice caps, but from precipitation. They state that Earth's neighbour wasn't always icy, but warm and wet.
<h2>Was Mars ever like Earth?</h2>
The team was trying to understand if Mars ever had a climate like Earth's. They made a digital version of part of Mars and analysed different scenarios, some with rain and snow and others with melting polar ice. Using software, they created a scenario in which the water continued to flow for thousands of years. What happened then?
This is where the breakthrough happened, as water formation differed in the two scenarios. Adding rain and snow to the climate showed the formation of valleys and streams at varying elevation points. But when it was only from melted ice, the valleys formed only in regions near these ice caps.
They also looked at the Martian surface as captured by NASA spacecraft from orbit. The patterns on land were similar to what one would expect when rain and snow fell on the ground. NASA says snowfall still happens on Mars, although it has never been caught on camera. It occurs at the poles when it gets extremely cold and at night when clouds cover the planet.

It still snows on Mars, but no spacecraft or rover has ever captured it. Mars is seen as a cold and dry planet. But researchers believe it was once warm and wet. Science & Tech Trending

Scientists have long believed that Mars was once covered with a river and a lake system. NASA’s Perseverance rover explored the ancient river delta, which carries proof that a massive river flowed into the Jezero crater, filling it up and creating a large delta billions of years ago. However, the source of this water has not been found yet. “We picked Jezero Crater as a landing site because orbital imagery showed a delta – clear evidence that a large lake once filled the crater. A lake is a potentially habitable environment, and delta rocks are a great environment for entombing signs of ancient life as fossils in the geologic record,” Perseverance’s project scientist, Ken Farley of Caltech, said. Also Read: A hole reappeared in Antarctica after 40 years. We now know what caused it Mars is seen as a cold and dry planet. But researchers believe it was once warm and wet, and according to a new study, the water came from incessant rains. The red planet seemingly witnessed regular rain at one point in its history, which fuelled the vast networks of river valleys and lakes. However, The study has been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. Also Read: 500-billion-year spin solves a cosmic puzzle: Panta Kykloutai, the universe is rotating The team of researchers ran computer simulations which showed that the water bodies on Mars weren't formed by the melted ice caps, but from precipitation. They state that Earth's neighbour wasn't always icy, but warm and wet. Was Mars ever like Earth? The team was trying to understand if Mars ever had a climate like Earth's. They made a digital version of part of Mars and analysed different scenarios, some with rain and snow and others with melting polar ice. Using software, they created a scenario in which the water continued to flow for thousands of years. What happened then? This is where the breakthrough happened, as water formation differed in the two scenarios. Adding rain and snow to the climate showed the formation of valleys and streams at varying elevation points. But when it was only from melted ice, the valleys formed only in regions near these ice caps. They also looked at the Martian surface as captured by NASA spacecraft from orbit. The patterns on land were similar to what one would expect when rain and snow fell on the ground. NASA says snowfall still happens on Mars, although it has never been caught on camera. It occurs at the poles when it gets extremely cold and at night when clouds cover the planet.

It still snows on Mars, and billions of years ago, it rained as well

Scientists have found clues hinting at hot water activity on Mars billions of years ago. The discovery was made by NASA&rsquo;s Perseverance rover in the region it landed on the red planet - the Jezero crater. The presence of crystallized quartz and hydrated silica in the rocks suggests that hydrothermal activity previously existed on the planet. If this is true, then it created a perfect ground to help microbes thrive.
Researchers from Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universit&eacute; and other French institutions conducted the study. The results were published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Perseverance collected rock samples from the Jezero Crater, which were found to be rich in silica. These rocks filled with opaline silica (opal), chalcedony and quartz were picked up from three locations - &nbsp;the edge of the ancient delta inside Jezero crater, along the riverbed that connects to the delta and on the edge of the crater rim.&nbsp;
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<h2>Pure silica rock, quartz in Martian rocks</h2>
A total of 6 such rocks were studied, some of them being pure silica. This is the first time that quartz has been confirmed to be present on Mars, raising hopes that the red planet harboured life at some point. Scientists said that these minerals are born because of hydrothermal activity, thus proving that hot water flowed on Mars at some point in time.
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"Quartz-dominated stones are detected unambiguously for the first time on the Martian surface, and based on grain size and crystallinity are proposed to be of hydrothermal origin," the researchers wrote in the paper.
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" This attests that hydrothermal processes were active in and around Jezero crater, possibly triggered by the Jezero crater-forming impact," they added.
<h2>Hot water on Mars</h2>
The detection of silica and quartz rocks on Mars, possibly indicating hot flowing water, ups hopes of finding traces of life on the red planet. On Earth, hydrothermal systems, or heated underground water, create conditions suited for the habitability of a wide variety of microscopic life.&nbsp;
"These silica-rich rocks, in particular opaline silica, are very promising targets for sampling and return to Earth given their high biosignature preservation potential," the paper states.
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In the past, scientists have found signs of flowing rivers on Mars that dried up years back. Rovers have also found sulfur rocks on Mars. Perseverance recently came across a rock with hundreds of millimetre-sized dark grey spheres that resembled tiny eggs. Scientists are trying to figure out how a lone rock came to sport such strange spherules.
Another story just found clues that liquid water may exist beneath Mars&rsquo;s surface. So, did life really exist on Mars? The search continues.

Did hot water once flow on Mars? Perseverance rover has collected rock samples from the Jezero Crater that are rich in silica, indicating hydrothermal activity.

Scientists have found clues hinting at hot water activity on Mars billions of years ago. The discovery was made by NASA’s Perseverance rover in the region it landed on the red planet - the Jezero crater. The presence of crystallized quartz and hydrated silica in the rocks suggests that hydrothermal activity previously existed on the planet. If this is true, then it created a perfect ground to help microbes thrive. Researchers from Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université and other French institutions conducted the study. The results were published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Perseverance collected rock samples from the Jezero Crater, which were found to be rich in silica. These rocks filled with opaline silica (opal), chalcedony and quartz were picked up from three locations - the edge of the ancient delta inside Jezero crater, along the riverbed that connects to the delta and on the edge of the crater rim. Also Read: Spider eggs on Mars? NASA scientists spot strange, mysterious object on Red Planet Pure silica rock, quartz in Martian rocks A total of 6 such rocks were studied, some of them being pure silica. This is the first time that quartz has been confirmed to be present on Mars, raising hopes that the red planet harboured life at some point. Scientists said that these minerals are born because of hydrothermal activity, thus proving that hot water flowed on Mars at some point in time. Also Read: Primordial black holes can chew up the interiors of planets. Can it happen to Earth? "Quartz-dominated stones are detected unambiguously for the first time on the Martian surface, and based on grain size and crystallinity are proposed to be of hydrothermal origin," the researchers wrote in the paper. Also Read: Scientists have leveraged Earth's rotation to generate electricity " This attests that hydrothermal processes were active in and around Jezero crater, possibly triggered by the Jezero crater-forming impact," they added. Hot water on Mars The detection of silica and quartz rocks on Mars, possibly indicating hot flowing water, ups hopes of finding traces of life on the red planet. On Earth, hydrothermal systems, or heated underground water, create conditions suited for the habitability of a wide variety of microscopic life. "These silica-rich rocks, in particular opaline silica, are very promising targets for sampling and return to Earth given their high biosignature preservation potential," the paper states. Also Read: The Tower of Brahma, a puzzle that dictates when the world will end. 'With a thunderclap...' In the past, scientists have found signs of flowing rivers on Mars that dried up years back. Rovers have also found sulfur rocks on Mars. Perseverance recently came across a rock with hundreds of millimetre-sized dark grey spheres that resembled tiny eggs. Scientists are trying to figure out how a lone rock came to sport such strange spherules. Another story just found clues that liquid water may exist beneath Mars’s surface. So, did life really exist on Mars? The search continues.

Hot water once flowed on Mars as another discovery hints at past life

Scientists, with the help of NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, found a strange object on the Red Planet. The object looks like a cluster of hundreds of spider eggs. The team is now working hard to understand their origin and the mystery behind it. Watch this report for more details!

Spider eggs on Mars? Mysterious object spotted by NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover

NASA scientists spot strange rocks on Mars

A former CIA spy has claimed that there was once life on the planet Mars, and that he saw it unfold using his "remote-viewing" capabilities. This happened as the agency carried out experiments in the 1980s to gain information about far-off places, events, objects and other people's minds. This is when Joe McMoneagle was asked to describe a place "1,000,000 BC", Daily Mail reported.
The CIA&rsquo;s Remote Viewer No. 1 told the American Alchemy podcast that he saw pyramids "larger than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza" and "very tall, thin" human beings who were "dying" of something.&nbsp;
<h2>CIA's mind-reading spies</h2>
McMoneagle was part of a group of so-called mind-reading spies who were tasked with entering the minds of the enemies.
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The retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer-turned CIA psychic was drafted into the CIA's Project Stargate, which was started as a programme against the erstwhile Soviet Union.
The podcast revealed that McMoneagle was the test subject of a document called "Mars Exploration May 22, 1984" that was declassified in 2017. He believes that life on the red planet vanished after a "big object passed through our solar system".&nbsp;
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For his interview, McMoneagle was given the coordinates to a place and was asked to tell what he saw. He says he saw large pyramids with large "monster rooms". He saw people "trapped in a place where the atmosphere was turning bad".&nbsp;
"These people were dying for some reason, but they were humans. They were just twice our size," he added.
<h2>Life on Mars, a million years before Christ</h2>
An envelope was given to him before the interview, but it wasn't opened until much later. An administrator asked him to focus his attention on "40.89 degrees north, 9.55 degrees west", without telling him that the coordinates were for a place on Mars.&nbsp;
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The declassified document states that the envelope had a 3X5 card inside it, which read - The Planet Mars. Time of interest approximately one million BC."
"It sort of looks... I kind of got an oblique view of a... pyramid or pyramid form," McMoneagle said.
He then started seeing some shadows of "very tall, thin" people in strange clothes. Just then, a violent storm ripped through the region, forcing people to take shelter in the pyramids that were merely chambers with no kind of furniture inside.&nbsp;
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McMoneagle said he thought he was seeing a place on Earth. But when he was told that it was "Mars 1,000,000 BC", he became upset and went to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and asked for the negatives of the coordinates he was given during the experiments. He showed the coordinates to a guy at the counter, who said, "Oh, this is the old city on Mars."&nbsp;
<h2>Red light on Mars</h2>
The mind-reading spy also claimed that the first time NASA noticed a structure on Mars, there was a red light coming from it.&nbsp;
The CIA document makes more revelations about the people on Mars, saying the "ancient people" were "very philosophic about it. They're looking for ah... a way to survive, and they just can't."

Science & Tech | Trending | The declassified document states that the envelope had a 3X5 card inside it, which read - The Planet Mars. Time of interest approximately one million BC."

A former CIA spy has claimed that there was once life on the planet Mars, and that he saw it unfold using his "remote-viewing" capabilities. This happened as the agency carried out experiments in the 1980s to gain information about far-off places, events, objects and other people's minds. This is when Joe McMoneagle was asked to describe a place "1,000,000 BC", Daily Mail reported. The CIA’s Remote Viewer No. 1 told the American Alchemy podcast that he saw pyramids "larger than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza" and "very tall, thin" human beings who were "dying" of something. CIA's mind-reading spies McMoneagle was part of a group of so-called mind-reading spies who were tasked with entering the minds of the enemies. Also Read: Watch out for an X and a V on the moon, courtesy the 'Terminator' The retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer-turned CIA psychic was drafted into the CIA's Project Stargate, which was started as a programme against the erstwhile Soviet Union. The podcast revealed that McMoneagle was the test subject of a document called "Mars Exploration May 22, 1984" that was declassified in 2017. He believes that life on the red planet vanished after a "big object passed through our solar system". Also Read: 'GhostRiders' on Blue Ghost click sunrise on the moon, get ready to kick up some dust For his interview, McMoneagle was given the coordinates to a place and was asked to tell what he saw. He says he saw large pyramids with large "monster rooms". He saw people "trapped in a place where the atmosphere was turning bad". "These people were dying for some reason, but they were humans. They were just twice our size," he added. Life on Mars, a million years before Christ An envelope was given to him before the interview, but it wasn't opened until much later. An administrator asked him to focus his attention on "40.89 degrees north, 9.55 degrees west", without telling him that the coordinates were for a place on Mars. Also Read: China is building a 'space station', but 6,500 feet under the sea. There is one problem The declassified document states that the envelope had a 3X5 card inside it, which read - The Planet Mars. Time of interest approximately one million BC." "It sort of looks... I kind of got an oblique view of a... pyramid or pyramid form," McMoneagle said. He then started seeing some shadows of "very tall, thin" people in strange clothes. Just then, a violent storm ripped through the region, forcing people to take shelter in the pyramids that were merely chambers with no kind of furniture inside. Also Read: Scientists test laser-powered device to detect ancient life on planet Mars McMoneagle said he thought he was seeing a place on Earth. But when he was told that it was "Mars 1,000,000 BC", he became upset and went to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and asked for the negatives of the coordinates he was given during the experiments. He showed the coordinates to a guy at the counter, who said, "Oh, this is the old city on Mars." Red light on Mars The mind-reading spy also claimed that the first time NASA noticed a structure on Mars, there was a red light coming from it. The CIA document makes more revelations about the people on Mars, saying the "ancient people" were "very philosophic about it. They're looking for ah... a way to survive, and they just can't."

Mars 1,000,000 BC: 'Mind-reading spy' claims he saw people 'dying' on the red planet

Scientists are working on a new laser that could detect microbial fossils on Mars. In a new research, the scientists said that the laser device will examine gypsum deposits for signs of these fossils. The device has already been tested in Mars-analogue gypsum deposits on Earth in Algeria.&nbsp;
The scientists have explained the method in the research, published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. The research is titled, "The Search for ancient life on Mars using morphological and mass spectrometric analysis: an analog study in detecting microfossils in Messinian gypsum."&nbsp;
Youcef Sellam, who is the lead author and a PhD student at the Physics Institute at the University of Bern, said, "Our findings provide a methodological framework for detecting biosignatures in Martian sulfate minerals, potentially guiding future Mars exploration missions."&nbsp;
"Our laser ablation ionization mass spectrometer, a spaceflight-prototype instrument, can effectively detect biosignatures in sulfate minerals. This technology could be integrated into future Mars rovers or landers for in-situ analysis," Sellam added.&nbsp;
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sent the Curiosity rover that has been exploring the Martian surface and the Gale Crater where it found evidence of ancient lakes and rivers. US space agency's Perseverance rover is currently exploring Jezero Crater, which was once reportedly home to a lake.&nbsp;
Scientists are searching for signs of past life, including fossils, but so far, definitive evidence of fossils hasn't been found on the Red Planet.&nbsp;
Scientists are optimistic as Curiosity detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, which could be a sign of microbial life. It also discovered organic molecules, which are the building blocks of life, in Martian rocks. The rover found sedimentary rocks in the Gale Crater, which suggest ancient lakebeds and rivers.&nbsp;
<h2>Where to look for fossils on Mars?&nbsp;</h2>
The study said that water on Mars dried up billions of years ago. Gypsum has been widely detected on the Martian surface, and other sulfates formed when pools evaporated. Gypsum is known for its exceptional fossilisation potential. The research stated that gypsum deposits could conceal evidence of past life on Mars.&nbsp;
"Gypsum has been widely detected on the Martian surface and is known for its exceptional fossilization potential. It forms rapidly, trapping microorganisms before decomposition occurs, and preserves biological structures and chemical biosignatures," Sellam explained.
To conduct the study here on Earth, scientists picked a space-suitable instrument: a small laser-powered mass spectrometer that can analyse a sample's chemical composition in detail down to the micrometre.&nbsp;
The scientists collected gypsum from the Sidi Boutbal quarry in Algeria and analysed it using a mass spectrometer and an optical microscope.&nbsp;
They followed criteria that can assist in distinguishing between putative microbial fossils and natural rock formations.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Science & Tech | The Study, published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, highlights potential of gypsum's fossilisation capabilities to preserve evidence of past life

Scientists are working on a new laser that could detect microbial fossils on Mars. In a new research, the scientists said that the laser device will examine gypsum deposits for signs of these fossils. The device has already been tested in Mars-analogue gypsum deposits on Earth in Algeria. The scientists have explained the method in the research, published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. The research is titled, "The Search for ancient life on Mars using morphological and mass spectrometric analysis: an analog study in detecting microfossils in Messinian gypsum." Youcef Sellam, who is the lead author and a PhD student at the Physics Institute at the University of Bern, said, "Our findings provide a methodological framework for detecting biosignatures in Martian sulfate minerals, potentially guiding future Mars exploration missions." "Our laser ablation ionization mass spectrometer, a spaceflight-prototype instrument, can effectively detect biosignatures in sulfate minerals. This technology could be integrated into future Mars rovers or landers for in-situ analysis," Sellam added. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sent the Curiosity rover that has been exploring the Martian surface and the Gale Crater where it found evidence of ancient lakes and rivers. US space agency's Perseverance rover is currently exploring Jezero Crater, which was once reportedly home to a lake. Scientists are searching for signs of past life, including fossils, but so far, definitive evidence of fossils hasn't been found on the Red Planet. Scientists are optimistic as Curiosity detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, which could be a sign of microbial life. It also discovered organic molecules, which are the building blocks of life, in Martian rocks. The rover found sedimentary rocks in the Gale Crater, which suggest ancient lakebeds and rivers. Where to look for fossils on Mars? The study said that water on Mars dried up billions of years ago. Gypsum has been widely detected on the Martian surface, and other sulfates formed when pools evaporated. Gypsum is known for its exceptional fossilisation potential. The research stated that gypsum deposits could conceal evidence of past life on Mars. "Gypsum has been widely detected on the Martian surface and is known for its exceptional fossilization potential. It forms rapidly, trapping microorganisms before decomposition occurs, and preserves biological structures and chemical biosignatures," Sellam explained. To conduct the study here on Earth, scientists picked a space-suitable instrument: a small laser-powered mass spectrometer that can analyse a sample's chemical composition in detail down to the micrometre. The scientists collected gypsum from the Sidi Boutbal quarry in Algeria and analysed it using a mass spectrometer and an optical microscope. They followed criteria that can assist in distinguishing between putative microbial fossils and natural rock formations. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists test laser-powered device to detect ancient life on planet Mars

America's Artemis moon mission faces growing uncertainty as reports suggest Trump’s potential return to power and Musk’s influence could shift NASA’s focus toward Mars instead of the Moon. Originally designed to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon, Artemis has already faced delays and cost overruns. Is the Moon mission being sidelined for Mars colonization dreams?

Trump and Musk’s space vision: Mars over Moon mission?

NASA might take on a different route under President Donald Trump. This is if his pick for chief of the space agency, Jared Isaacman, is confirmed as the new NASA administrator, Gizmodo reported. The businessman touted to take over the space agency reportedly has plans to shove aside the grand moon mission, Artemis, and focus on landing humans on Mars.
Isaacman shared a post on social media on February 16, hinting at the change of plans.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-bumps-up-probability-of-city-killer-asteroid-2024-yr4-slamming-into-our-planet-earth-in-8-years-8735944" rel="dofollow"> NASA bumps up probability of 'city killer' asteroid 2024-YR4 slamming into our planet Earth in 8 years</a>
He retweeted a photo of Mars and wrote that a photo such as this makes him feel &ldquo;energised about the future.&rdquo; He further talked about how massive an accomplishment landing humans on another planet is.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m7d4oc9b-t5vn08jp-g9tz8qck">
When I see a picture like this, it is impossible not to feel energized about the future. I think it is so important for people to understand the profound implications of sending humans to another planet: - We will develop groundbreaking technologies in propulsion, habitability,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/vEG2KHU3eS">https://t.co/vEG2KHU3eS</a>
&mdash; Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) <a href="https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1891148876046102896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>Artemis mission</h2>
The Artemis programme has been beset with uncertainties amid delays. The second Artemis programme was supposed to take off in November 2024, however, it has been delayed by over a year now.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/meteoroid-impact-on-mars-produces-seismic-signals-quakes-go-deeper-than-expected-8717335" rel="dofollow">Meteoroid impact on Mars produces seismic signals, quakes go deeper than expected</a>
The NASA mission will fly astronauts aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft around the moon. It aims to know whether all systems work well in deep space with a spacecraft carrying humans aboard. This will further pave the way to land people on the moon once again since the historic Apollo missions.
Reports suggest that the delay and revision in the Artemis programme is pushing Boeing, a major NASA contractor, to lay off hundreds of employees from its space division.&nbsp;
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-artemis-moon-mission-delayed-new-schedule-set-for-2026-and-2027-782004" rel="dofollow">NASA's Artemis Moon Mission delayed, new schedule set for 2026 and 2027</a>
<h2>Trump, Musk, Isaacman and Mars</h2>
Meanwhile, Trump also mentioned that his administration will aim to plant a flag on the red planet, without so much as talking about the moon. Landing people on Mars is also a dream shared by DOGE chief Elon Musk. He plans on using the Starship built by his company SpaceX to send humans to the red planet.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Isaacman was also a part of the Polaris mission spearheaded by Musk's company SpaceX in collaboration with Isaacman. He carried out the&nbsp;first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.&nbsp;
The delays in the Artemis mission coupled with Isaacman's plans and Musk's proximity to Trump, hint at the likelihood that Mars will become the focus of attention for NASA under the new president.&nbsp;
Isaacman does mention in his post that they will aim to "develop groundbreaking technologies" to unlock "mission optionality from the Moon to Mars and beyond." However, his main focus seems to be landing people on "another planet" as he ended his post by saying that "landing American astronauts on another planet&mdash;will inspire generations of dreamers".
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasas-curiosity-rover-captures-colorful-clouds-on-mars-watch-8714488" rel="dofollow">'Cloudgazing on Mars': NASA's Curiosity rover captures colourful clouds on Mars - WATCH</a>
NASA has for years been talking about making the moon the point from where missions to Mars can be launched. However, Musk has called the Artemis missions a distraction, and believes that the best approach is to tackle Mars directly. Given his current position in the Trump administration, he is likely to have a major influence on how NASA works in the coming years.
During the Space Force Association&rsquo;s Spacepower Conference on December 11, Isaacman stressed the role of the United States in putting humans on the Moon and Mars. He added that the ventures can &ldquo;shift the entire balance of power here on Earth.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

Jared Isaacman, Trump's pick for NASA chief, is expected to focus on sending humans to Mars rather than landing them on the moon, the sole aim of the Artemis programme.

NASA might take on a different route under President Donald Trump. This is if his pick for chief of the space agency, Jared Isaacman, is confirmed as the new NASA administrator, Gizmodo reported. The businessman touted to take over the space agency reportedly has plans to shove aside the grand moon mission, Artemis, and focus on landing humans on Mars. Isaacman shared a post on social media on February 16, hinting at the change of plans. Also Read: NASA bumps up probability of 'city killer' asteroid 2024-YR4 slamming into our planet Earth in 8 years He retweeted a photo of Mars and wrote that a photo such as this makes him feel “energised about the future.” He further talked about how massive an accomplishment landing humans on another planet is. When I see a picture like this, it is impossible not to feel energized about the future. I think it is so important for people to understand the profound implications of sending humans to another planet: - We will develop groundbreaking technologies in propulsion, habitability,… https://t.co/vEG2KHU3eS — Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) February 16, 2025 Artemis mission The Artemis programme has been beset with uncertainties amid delays. The second Artemis programme was supposed to take off in November 2024, however, it has been delayed by over a year now. Also Read: Meteoroid impact on Mars produces seismic signals, quakes go deeper than expected The NASA mission will fly astronauts aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft around the moon. It aims to know whether all systems work well in deep space with a spacecraft carrying humans aboard. This will further pave the way to land people on the moon once again since the historic Apollo missions. Reports suggest that the delay and revision in the Artemis programme is pushing Boeing, a major NASA contractor, to lay off hundreds of employees from its space division. Also Read: NASA's Artemis Moon Mission delayed, new schedule set for 2026 and 2027 Trump, Musk, Isaacman and Mars Meanwhile, Trump also mentioned that his administration will aim to plant a flag on the red planet, without so much as talking about the moon. Landing people on Mars is also a dream shared by DOGE chief Elon Musk. He plans on using the Starship built by his company SpaceX to send humans to the red planet. Meanwhile, Isaacman was also a part of the Polaris mission spearheaded by Musk's company SpaceX in collaboration with Isaacman. He carried out the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. The delays in the Artemis mission coupled with Isaacman's plans and Musk's proximity to Trump, hint at the likelihood that Mars will become the focus of attention for NASA under the new president. Isaacman does mention in his post that they will aim to "develop groundbreaking technologies" to unlock "mission optionality from the Moon to Mars and beyond." However, his main focus seems to be landing people on "another planet" as he ended his post by saying that "landing American astronauts on another planet—will inspire generations of dreamers". Also Read: 'Cloudgazing on Mars': NASA's Curiosity rover captures colourful clouds on Mars - WATCH NASA has for years been talking about making the moon the point from where missions to Mars can be launched. However, Musk has called the Artemis missions a distraction, and believes that the best approach is to tackle Mars directly. Given his current position in the Trump administration, he is likely to have a major influence on how NASA works in the coming years. During the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference on December 11, Isaacman stressed the role of the United States in putting humans on the Moon and Mars. He added that the ventures can “shift the entire balance of power here on Earth.”

Mars in, moon out? NASA might go a different route under Isaacman

A mysterious black rock has been found by scientists on Mars which suggested that the Red Planet had hot springs billions of years ago.

In new research, scientists have found new evidence which has hinted at the existence of water on the planet more than four billion years ago, which has hinted at the planet being habitable.

A sample of the meteorite was examined by academics from Curtin University in Australia, and while looking at a grain of the black crystal rock called zicron, the experts were able to find evidence that hinted at the planet being hospitable long ago.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-nasa-accidentally-kill-living-creatures-on-mars-heres-what-a-scientist-claimed-777392">Did NASA accidentally kill living creatures on Mars? Here's what a scientist claimed</a>

Scientists discovered that the sample dated back to 4.45 billion years ago when it has been estimated that planet Earth was formed.&nbsp;

<h2>Fingerprints on water of grain?</h2>

During the study of the rock, scientists found 'fingerprints' on the water of the grain, which hinted at the existence of hot water on the Red Planet.&nbsp;

It is believed to have existed like hydrothermal springs, which are heated by magma that flows under the crust of the planet.

As per the experts, hot springs play an important role in life&nbsp;which evolves on Earth. The evidence of the existence of such springs suggests that the Red Planet may have possessed the ability to support ancient life.

Speaking to The Sun, the study's co-author, Dr Aaron Cavosie, said that nano-scale geochemistry was used for finding the evidence of hot water on the planet.

"Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth, and our findings suggest Mars also had water, a key ingredient for habitable environments, during the earliest history of crust formation," said Dr Cavosie while speaking to the publication.

Watch:&nbsp;Did Life Exist In Hot Water On Mars Billions Of Years Ago?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/did-life-exist-in-hot-water-on-mars-billions-of-years-ago-778813/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Through nano-scale imaging and spectroscopy, the team identified element patterns in this unique zircon, including iron, aluminium, yttrium and sodium," he added.

"These elements were added as the zircon formed 4.45 billion years ago, suggesting water was present during early Martian magmatic activity. This new study takes us a step further in understanding early Mars, by way of identifying tell-tale signs of water-rich fluids from when the grain formed, providing geochemical markers of water in the oldest known Martian crust," Dr Cavosie further stated.&nbsp;

This discovery comes after the Mars Rover of NASA found the first "possible" signs of the existence of life on the planet.

(With inputs from agencies)

A mysterious black rock has been found by scientists on Mars which suggested that the Red Planet had hot springs billions of years ago. In new research, scientists have found new evidence which has hinted at the existence of water on the planet more than four billion years ago, which has hinted at the planet being habitable.

A mysterious black rock has been found by scientists on Mars which suggested that the Red Planet had hot springs billions of years ago. In new research, scientists have found new evidence which has hinted at the existence of water on the planet more than four billion years ago, which has hinted at the planet being habitable. A sample of the meteorite was examined by academics from Curtin University in Australia, and while looking at a grain of the black crystal rock called zicron, the experts were able to find evidence that hinted at the planet being hospitable long ago. Also read: Did NASA accidentally kill living creatures on Mars? Here's what a scientist claimed Scientists discovered that the sample dated back to 4.45 billion years ago when it has been estimated that planet Earth was formed. Fingerprints on water of grain? During the study of the rock, scientists found 'fingerprints' on the water of the grain, which hinted at the existence of hot water on the Red Planet. It is believed to have existed like hydrothermal springs, which are heated by magma that flows under the crust of the planet. As per the experts, hot springs play an important role in life which evolves on Earth. The evidence of the existence of such springs suggests that the Red Planet may have possessed the ability to support ancient life. Speaking to The Sun, the study's co-author, Dr Aaron Cavosie, said that nano-scale geochemistry was used for finding the evidence of hot water on the planet. "Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth, and our findings suggest Mars also had water, a key ingredient for habitable environments, during the earliest history of crust formation," said Dr Cavosie while speaking to the publication. Watch: Did Life Exist In Hot Water On Mars Billions Of Years Ago? "Through nano-scale imaging and spectroscopy, the team identified element patterns in this unique zircon, including iron, aluminium, yttrium and sodium," he added. "These elements were added as the zircon formed 4.45 billion years ago, suggesting water was present during early Martian magmatic activity. This new study takes us a step further in understanding early Mars, by way of identifying tell-tale signs of water-rich fluids from when the grain formed, providing geochemical markers of water in the oldest known Martian crust," Dr Cavosie further stated. This discovery comes after the Mars Rover of NASA found the first "possible" signs of the existence of life on the planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Were aliens enjoying hot springs on Mars 4.5 billion years ago? Here's what ancient evidence hints at

A fascinating Mars exhibition has arrived at a museum in East London, offering visitors an immersive experience into the planet's mysteries and latest scientific discoveries.

Mars Exhibition Lands at East London Museum

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms: - Trump appoints oilfield services - Adult Entertainer Wants To Give Birth To Musk's Baby On Mars - Turkey Newborn Scandal

Adult Entertainer Wants To Give Birth To Musk's Baby On Mars |Turkey Newborn Scandal

According to a scientist NASA may have killed living creatures on Mars accidentally while carrying out a research mission to find them on the Red Planet.&nbsp;

Scientists, for decades, have been making efforts to find any signs of life on the planet, however, no conclusive evidence has emerged as of yet.&nbsp;

Astrobiologist Dirk Schulze-Makuch, who is from the Technical University Berlin in Germany, said that Viking landers emerged as the first US mission which landed safely on Mars in 1976 which probably was the closest scientists came to finding alien life, reported Science Alert.

<h2>How Viking landers may have ended up killing lives on Mars?</h2>

The scientist said that the methods of finding life are destructive in themselves. He shared his thoughts in a column shared in Big Think and in commentary which was published in Nature Astronomy.&nbsp;

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"The Viking landers identified small amounts of chlorinated organics, initially believed to be contamination from Earth," said Schulze-Makuch.

"However, subsequent missions have verified the presence of native organic compounds on Mars, although in a chlorinated form. Life on Mars could have adapted to the arid environment by existing within salt rocks and absorbing water directly from the atmosphere," he added.

"The Viking experiments, which involved adding water to soil samples, might have overwhelmed these potential microbes, leading to their demise," he further stated.&nbsp;

<h2>Microbes 'overwhelmed' on the Red Planet?</h2>

Schulze-Makuch further said that the planet's potential microbes may have been "overwhelmed".

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-meteorite-from-mars-has-evidence-of-water-on-planet-742-million-years-ago-776181">&nbsp;A meteorite from Mars has evidence of water on planet 742 million years ago</a>

"Microbes living inside salt rocks in the Atacama do not need any rain at all - just a certain amount of moisture in the atmosphere," he added.&nbsp;

"Now let's ask what would happen if you poured water over these dry-adapted microbes. Might that overwhelm them? In technical terms, we would say that we were hyperhydrating them, but in simple terms, it would be more like drowning them. Many of the Viking experiments involved applying water to the soil samples, which may explain the puzzling results," the scientist further explained.

Schulze-Makuch has advised to send another mission to the Red Planet in search of life.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a scientist NASA may have killed living creatures on Mars accidentally while carrying out a research mission to find them on the Red Planet. Scientists, for decades, have been making efforts to find any signs of life on the planet, however, no conclusive evidence has emerged as of yet.

According to a scientist NASA may have killed living creatures on Mars accidentally while carrying out a research mission to find them on the Red Planet. Scientists, for decades, have been making efforts to find any signs of life on the planet, however, no conclusive evidence has emerged as of yet. Astrobiologist Dirk Schulze-Makuch, who is from the Technical University Berlin in Germany, said that Viking landers emerged as the first US mission which landed safely on Mars in 1976 which probably was the closest scientists came to finding alien life, reported Science Alert. How Viking landers may have ended up killing lives on Mars? The scientist said that the methods of finding life are destructive in themselves. He shared his thoughts in a column shared in Big Think and in commentary which was published in Nature Astronomy. Also Read: Chinese spacecraft will catch a can of Martian rock samples in space "The Viking landers identified small amounts of chlorinated organics, initially believed to be contamination from Earth," said Schulze-Makuch. "However, subsequent missions have verified the presence of native organic compounds on Mars, although in a chlorinated form. Life on Mars could have adapted to the arid environment by existing within salt rocks and absorbing water directly from the atmosphere," he added. "The Viking experiments, which involved adding water to soil samples, might have overwhelmed these potential microbes, leading to their demise," he further stated. Microbes 'overwhelmed' on the Red Planet? Schulze-Makuch further said that the planet's potential microbes may have been "overwhelmed". Also Read: A meteorite from Mars has evidence of water on planet 742 million years ago "Microbes living inside salt rocks in the Atacama do not need any rain at all - just a certain amount of moisture in the atmosphere," he added. "Now let's ask what would happen if you poured water over these dry-adapted microbes. Might that overwhelm them? In technical terms, we would say that we were hyperhydrating them, but in simple terms, it would be more like drowning them. Many of the Viking experiments involved applying water to the soil samples, which may explain the puzzling results," the scientist further explained. Schulze-Makuch has advised to send another mission to the Red Planet in search of life. (With inputs from agencies)

Did NASA accidentally kill living creatures on Mars? Here's what a scientist claimed

Mars was hit by an asteroid 11 million years ago because of which pieces of the Red Planet had been disbursed into space.&nbsp;

A chunk of this Red Planet later crashed into the Earth close to Purdue University. The researchers at Purdue University rediscovered this meteorite in 1931 and it was named Lafayette Meteorite.

During Lafayette Meteorite's early investigations, scientists found that it had interacted with liquid water on Mars.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whats-green-on-mars-perseverance-dissects-a-rock-and-gives-birth-to-even-more-questions-772181">What's 'green' on Mars? Perseverance dissects a rock and gives birth to even more questions</a>

A group of scientists, which included two from the College of Science at Purdue University, were able to find out the age of the minerals in the Lafayette Meteorite which were formed when water existed.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how scientists found the age of minerals</h2>

Assistant professor with the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at Purdue University Marissa Trembla, who is the lead author of the study, said that she is using noble gases like helium, neon and argon for studying the chemical and physical processes which shape the surfaces of Earth and other planets.&nbsp;

She said that some meteorites from Mars had minerals which were formed when they interacted with liquid water when on the red planet.&nbsp;

"Dating these minerals can therefore tell us when there was liquid water at or near the surface of Mars in the planet's geologic past," Trembla said.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/happy-new-year-on-mars-nasa-celebrates-as-rovers-join-the-party-775767">Happy New Year... on Mars! NASA celebrates as rovers join the party</a>

"We dated these minerals in the Martian meteorite Lafayette and found that they formed 742 million years ago. We do not think there was abundant liquid water on the surface of Mars at this time. Instead, we think the water came from the melting of nearby subsurface ice called permafrost, and that the permafrost melting was caused by magmatic activity that still occurs periodically on Mars to the present day," she added.&nbsp;

"The age could have been affected by the impact that ejected the Lafayette Meteorite from Mars, the heating Lafayette experienced during the 11 million years it was floating out in space, or the heating Lafayette experienced when it fell to Earth and burned up a little bit in Earth's atmosphere. But we were able to demonstrate that none of these things affected the age of aqueous alteration in Lafayette," the lead author further stated.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, senior research scientist with Purdue EAPS Ryan Ickert said, "This meteorite uniquely has evidence that it has reacted with water. The exact date of this was controversial, and our publication dates when water was present."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Mars was hit by an asteroid 11 million years ago because of which pieces of the Red Planet had been disbursed into space. A chunk of this Red Planet later crashed into the Earth close to Purdue University.

Mars was hit by an asteroid 11 million years ago because of which pieces of the Red Planet had been disbursed into space. A chunk of this Red Planet later crashed into the Earth close to Purdue University. The researchers at Purdue University rediscovered this meteorite in 1931 and it was named Lafayette Meteorite. During Lafayette Meteorite's early investigations, scientists found that it had interacted with liquid water on Mars. Also Read: What's 'green' on Mars? Perseverance dissects a rock and gives birth to even more questions A group of scientists, which included two from the College of Science at Purdue University, were able to find out the age of the minerals in the Lafayette Meteorite which were formed when water existed. Here's how scientists found the age of minerals Assistant professor with the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at Purdue University Marissa Trembla, who is the lead author of the study, said that she is using noble gases like helium, neon and argon for studying the chemical and physical processes which shape the surfaces of Earth and other planets. She said that some meteorites from Mars had minerals which were formed when they interacted with liquid water when on the red planet. "Dating these minerals can therefore tell us when there was liquid water at or near the surface of Mars in the planet's geologic past," Trembla said. Also Read: Happy New Year... on Mars! NASA celebrates as rovers join the party "We dated these minerals in the Martian meteorite Lafayette and found that they formed 742 million years ago. We do not think there was abundant liquid water on the surface of Mars at this time. Instead, we think the water came from the melting of nearby subsurface ice called permafrost, and that the permafrost melting was caused by magmatic activity that still occurs periodically on Mars to the present day," she added. "The age could have been affected by the impact that ejected the Lafayette Meteorite from Mars, the heating Lafayette experienced during the 11 million years it was floating out in space, or the heating Lafayette experienced when it fell to Earth and burned up a little bit in Earth's atmosphere. But we were able to demonstrate that none of these things affected the age of aqueous alteration in Lafayette," the lead author further stated. Meanwhile, senior research scientist with Purdue EAPS Ryan Ickert said, "This meteorite uniquely has evidence that it has reacted with water. The exact date of this was controversial, and our publication dates when water was present." (With inputs from agencies)

A meteorite from Mars has evidence of water on planet 742 million years ago

NASA's Perseverance rover has made yet another unusual discovery on Mars, spotting greenish spots inside a rock. The mysterious discovery was made by the rover's SHERLOC WATSON camera that took a nighttime mosaic image of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch in the "Serpentine Rapids".&nbsp;

The photo also shows white and black spots. To see what lies inside the rock, Perseverance made an abrasion patch five centimetres in diameter in a outcrop named "Wallace Butte." The large green spot lies in the upper left portion of the image and is approximately two millimeters (about 0.08 inches) in diameter.&nbsp;

Oxidized iron is responsible for the colour of rocks on Earth similar to those found on Mars. It is also what makes the blood red. The green tinge is also common in rocks on our planet. They are formed when liquid water seeps through sediment before hardening into rock. A chemical reaction then transforms oxidised iron to its reduced form, lending a green hue to a rock.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-may-have-flourished-on-mars-till-a-few-billion-years-ago-772020">Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago</a>

The reduction reaction can either happen because of microbes or decaying organic matter in the rocks on Earth. Chemical interaction between sulfur and iron can also cause iron-reduction reactions without the help of microorganisms.

However, what caused the green colour in the Martian rocks is a mystery as the rover didn't have much space to safely place its arms holding the SHERLOC and PIXL instruments directly on top of the green spot.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/do-you-see-it-human-face-spotted-on-mars-is-totally-relatable-it-is-really-just-a-765777">Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable</a>

<h2>Black-and-white striped rock on Mars</h2>

The rover recently also clicked an image of a black-and-white striped rock on Mars. It came across the odd rock while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim.

The rock was named Freya Castle and scientists think that as the rover continues to climb up the crater, it might come across more such rocks. It is the only stone of its kind observed on Mars and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher.

NASA's Perseverance rover has made yet another unusual discovery on Mars, spotting greenish spots inside a rock. The mysterious discovery was made by the rover's SHERLOC WATSON camera that took a nighttime mosaic image of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch in the "Serpentine Rapids".

NASA's Perseverance rover has made yet another unusual discovery on Mars, spotting greenish spots inside a rock. The mysterious discovery was made by the rover's SHERLOC WATSON camera that took a nighttime mosaic image of the Malgosa Crest abrasion patch in the "Serpentine Rapids". The photo also shows white and black spots. To see what lies inside the rock, Perseverance made an abrasion patch five centimetres in diameter in a outcrop named "Wallace Butte." The large green spot lies in the upper left portion of the image and is approximately two millimeters (about 0.08 inches) in diameter. Oxidized iron is responsible for the colour of rocks on Earth similar to those found on Mars. It is also what makes the blood red. The green tinge is also common in rocks on our planet. They are formed when liquid water seeps through sediment before hardening into rock. A chemical reaction then transforms oxidised iron to its reduced form, lending a green hue to a rock. Also Read: Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago The reduction reaction can either happen because of microbes or decaying organic matter in the rocks on Earth. Chemical interaction between sulfur and iron can also cause iron-reduction reactions without the help of microorganisms. However, what caused the green colour in the Martian rocks is a mystery as the rover didn't have much space to safely place its arms holding the SHERLOC and PIXL instruments directly on top of the green spot. Also Read: Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable Black-and-white striped rock on Mars The rover recently also clicked an image of a black-and-white striped rock on Mars. It came across the odd rock while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. The rock was named Freya Castle and scientists think that as the rover continues to climb up the crater, it might come across more such rocks. It is the only stone of its kind observed on Mars and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher.

What's 'green' on Mars? Perseverance dissects a rock and gives birth to even more questions

Scientists are now planning to achieve the impossible,&nbsp;which is growing a tree on Mars.&nbsp;

In a new research, it has been found that carbon dioxide (CO2) needs to be jacked up on Mars to support plant growth and raise temperatures on the planet for growing trees.

The conditions needed for the growth of the plant on the Red Planet do not get created in the "tropics" of Mars.&nbsp;

The plan to grow trees on Mars is being led by Robert Olszewski, who is a professor at Warsaw University of Technology in Poland.&nbsp;

Researchers have studied the surface energy balance on the planet like the diffusive exchange of heat between evaporation and carbon dioxide condensation, transport of heat by atmospheric circulation and heat exchange with the subsurface.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-may-have-flourished-on-mars-till-a-few-billion-years-ago-772020">Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago</a>

"Surprisingly, the conditions that allow plant growth do not occur first within the tropics (±25°) but in the Hellas Basin region. A further increase in the&nbsp;greenhouse effect&nbsp;expands the area suitable for plant growth in the southern hemisphere," explained the research paper.

<h2>Researchers simulate processes on Mars for growth of trees</h2>

Olszewski and his research team used Viking Mars lander temperature and pressure datasets created in the 1970s and simulated different processes on Mars.

"Here, we use the baseline model to investigate the greenhouse effect caused by an increase in CO2 plus artificial greenhouse warming," Olszewski said in a paper presented at an "Astrobiology&nbsp;and the Future of Life Meeting" organised at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas.

They also assessed the total pressure required on Mars, the O2 needed, a high percentage of acceptable CO2, temperatures required for tree growth and the amount of water available.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/humans-can-hitch-a-ride-to-mars-on-board-an-asteroid-ukrainian-scientists-say-771624">Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...'</a>

"The atmospheric conditions existing on Mars today make the existence of life impossible. The requirements for plant growth on Mars have been considered in the context of terraforming and for low-pressure greenhouses," Olszewski said.&nbsp;

The research emphasised on temperature "as this is the fundamental environmental variable that changes during terraforming and it controls the CO2 cycle and the formation of liquid water," Olszewski stated.&nbsp;

"Focusing on the temperature, it must be several tens of degrees higher, while the diurnal fluctuations should be much lower. For the growth of trees, the growing season must last at least 110 sols (Martian days)," stated the research.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists are now planning to achieve the impossible, which is growing a tree on Mars. In a new research, it has been found that carbon dioxide (CO2) needs to be jacked up on Mars to support plant growth and raise temperatures on the planet for growing trees.

Scientists are now planning to achieve the impossible, which is growing a tree on Mars. In a new research, it has been found that carbon dioxide (CO2) needs to be jacked up on Mars to support plant growth and raise temperatures on the planet for growing trees. The conditions needed for the growth of the plant on the Red Planet do not get created in the "tropics" of Mars. The plan to grow trees on Mars is being led by Robert Olszewski, who is a professor at Warsaw University of Technology in Poland. Researchers have studied the surface energy balance on the planet like the diffusive exchange of heat between evaporation and carbon dioxide condensation, transport of heat by atmospheric circulation and heat exchange with the subsurface. Also Read: Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago "Surprisingly, the conditions that allow plant growth do not occur first within the tropics (±25°) but in the Hellas Basin region. A further increase in the greenhouse effect expands the area suitable for plant growth in the southern hemisphere," explained the research paper. Researchers simulate processes on Mars for growth of trees Olszewski and his research team used Viking Mars lander temperature and pressure datasets created in the 1970s and simulated different processes on Mars. "Here, we use the baseline model to investigate the greenhouse effect caused by an increase in CO2 plus artificial greenhouse warming," Olszewski said in a paper presented at an "Astrobiology and the Future of Life Meeting" organised at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas. They also assessed the total pressure required on Mars, the O2 needed, a high percentage of acceptable CO2, temperatures required for tree growth and the amount of water available. Also Read: Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...' "The atmospheric conditions existing on Mars today make the existence of life impossible. The requirements for plant growth on Mars have been considered in the context of terraforming and for low-pressure greenhouses," Olszewski said. The research emphasised on temperature "as this is the fundamental environmental variable that changes during terraforming and it controls the CO2 cycle and the formation of liquid water," Olszewski stated. "Focusing on the temperature, it must be several tens of degrees higher, while the diurnal fluctuations should be much lower. For the growth of trees, the growing season must last at least 110 sols (Martian days)," stated the research. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists now plan to grow first tree on planet Mars. Here's how

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It still snows on Mars, and billions of years ago, it rained as well

Hot water once flowed on Mars as another discovery hints at past life

Spider eggs on Mars? Mysterious object spotted by NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover

NASA scientists spot strange rocks on Mars

Mars 1,000,000 BC: 'Mind-reading spy' claims he saw people 'dying' on the red planet

Scientists test laser-powered device to detect ancient life on planet Mars

Trump and Musk’s space vision: Mars over Moon mission?