The search for life on Mars has brought scientists face to face with a new piece of information, that the red planet was likely habitable until quite recently. A new paper presents evidence that Mars was likely teeming with life billions of years ago. Scientists have been trying to find signs of life on the neighbouring planet, and if it did exist, when did it vanish?

Researchers in Harvard's Paleomagnetics Lab in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences worked to understand the "when" part. In their paper published in Nature Communications, they say that Mars' life-enabling magnetic field could have survived until about 3.9 billion years ago. This is hundreds of millions of years more recent as compared with previous estimates of 4.1 billion years.&nbsp;

Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences student Sarah Steele led the study and used simulation and computer modelling to estimate the age of the Martian "dynamo", or the global magnetic field produced by convection in the planet's iron core.

Senior author Roger Fu, the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences and his team say that the magnetic field capable of deflecting harmful cosmic rays was around for much more time than current estimates claim.

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The team simulated the cooling and magnetisation cycles of Martian craters which are only weakly magnetic. Scientists believe they formed after the dynamo shut down. They say that these basins initially formed amid hot rock when no other strong magnetic fields were present.&nbsp;

<h2>Magnetic poles flipped and craters were formed</h2>

However, Steele and the team say this early shutdown of the magnetic field isn't necessary for the craters to form. Instead, they say that the craters were formed when the north and south poles switched places in the dynamo of Mars. This is why, they say, these large impact basins only have weak magnetic signals today.&nbsp;

Earth's magnetic poles also flip every few hundred thousand years. "We are basically showing that there may not have ever been a good reason to assume Mars's dynamo shut down early," Steele said.

"We are trying to answer primary, important questions about how everything got to be like it is, even why the entire solar system is the way that it is," Steele said.&nbsp;

"Planetary magnetic fields are our best probe to answer a lot of those questions and one of the only ways we have to learn about the deep interiors and early histories of planets."

The search for life on Mars has brought scientists face to face with a new piece of information, that the red planet was likely habitable until quite recently. A new paper presents evidence that Mars was likely teeming with life billions of years ago.

The search for life on Mars has brought scientists face to face with a new piece of information, that the red planet was likely habitable until quite recently. A new paper presents evidence that Mars was likely teeming with life billions of years ago. Scientists have been trying to find signs of life on the neighbouring planet, and if it did exist, when did it vanish? Researchers in Harvard's Paleomagnetics Lab in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences worked to understand the "when" part. In their paper published in Nature Communications, they say that Mars' life-enabling magnetic field could have survived until about 3.9 billion years ago. This is hundreds of millions of years more recent as compared with previous estimates of 4.1 billion years. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences student Sarah Steele led the study and used simulation and computer modelling to estimate the age of the Martian "dynamo", or the global magnetic field produced by convection in the planet's iron core. Senior author Roger Fu, the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences and his team say that the magnetic field capable of deflecting harmful cosmic rays was around for much more time than current estimates claim. Also Read: Is the methane world on Titan hiding secret alien life? Scientists say... The team simulated the cooling and magnetisation cycles of Martian craters which are only weakly magnetic. Scientists believe they formed after the dynamo shut down. They say that these basins initially formed amid hot rock when no other strong magnetic fields were present. Magnetic poles flipped and craters were formed However, Steele and the team say this early shutdown of the magnetic field isn't necessary for the craters to form. Instead, they say that the craters were formed when the north and south poles switched places in the dynamo of Mars. This is why, they say, these large impact basins only have weak magnetic signals today. Earth's magnetic poles also flip every few hundred thousand years. "We are basically showing that there may not have ever been a good reason to assume Mars's dynamo shut down early," Steele said. "We are trying to answer primary, important questions about how everything got to be like it is, even why the entire solar system is the way that it is," Steele said. "Planetary magnetic fields are our best probe to answer a lot of those questions and one of the only ways we have to learn about the deep interiors and early histories of planets."

Life may have flourished on Mars till a few billion years ago

Humans are trying to reach Mars, but a trip on board a spacecraft will cost a lot of money and time, besides tackling several other logistical matters, such as how to battle harmful levels of radiation. Researchers from Ukraine have come up with an innovative way to travel to the red planet - hitchhike your way to a planet on an asteroid.

Asteroids zoom past several planets in the universe and the scientists see it as a solution the cosmos already presents to humans who wish to travel between planets. So why not hop on them to reach Mars?&nbsp;

A trip to Mars will have a huge effect on the physical health of astronauts. It is around 225 million km away from Earth and a journey to and fro will take about three years. This means prolonged exposure to radiation and microgravity, leading to loss of muscles and bone density. Returning to Earth’s gravity will likely become impossible and heart issues are also likely to crop up.&nbsp;

AS Kasianchuk and VM Reshetnyk from the National University of Kyiv in Ukraine, authors of the paper, analysed the orbit of more than 35,000 near-Earth asteroids to understand the possibility of making successive approaches to pairs of planets Earth–Venus and Earth-Mars within a time range of 2020 to 2120.&nbsp;

They say asteroids can be used as interplanetary busses which will prove to be a much faster mode of transport between the planets. The researchers estimate the trips might even be completed within as soon as 180 days.

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<h2>Several asteroids have been shortlisted</h2>

They have zeroed in on 120 candidates for Earth-Mars, Earth-Venus, Mars-Earth, Venus-Earth, and even Mars-Venus and Venus-Mars trips.

If the idea works out, it cancels out the need for creating a spacecraft to carry humans to other planers. However, a technological solution would still be needed to protect one against radiation.

The list of asteroids that can potentially help with planet-hopping will only grow since near-Earth objects are regularly discovered. NASA’s NEO Surveyor mission will prove to be of crucial help in this area as it is working to find more than 90 per cent of all &nbsp;NEOs larger than 140 metres in diameter.&nbsp;

Experts believe the right asteroid can prove extremely useful in the cosmic journey. Astronauts can possibly use it as a fuel station and seek shelter under features like caves to shield themselves from radiation.

Humans are trying to reach Mars, but a trip on board a spacecraft will cost a lot of money and time, besides tackling several other logistical matters, such as how to battle harmful levels of radiation.

Humans are trying to reach Mars, but a trip on board a spacecraft will cost a lot of money and time, besides tackling several other logistical matters, such as how to battle harmful levels of radiation. Researchers from Ukraine have come up with an innovative way to travel to the red planet - hitchhike your way to a planet on an asteroid. Asteroids zoom past several planets in the universe and the scientists see it as a solution the cosmos already presents to humans who wish to travel between planets. So why not hop on them to reach Mars? A trip to Mars will have a huge effect on the physical health of astronauts. It is around 225 million km away from Earth and a journey to and fro will take about three years. This means prolonged exposure to radiation and microgravity, leading to loss of muscles and bone density. Returning to Earth’s gravity will likely become impossible and heart issues are also likely to crop up. AS Kasianchuk and VM Reshetnyk from the National University of Kyiv in Ukraine, authors of the paper, analysed the orbit of more than 35,000 near-Earth asteroids to understand the possibility of making successive approaches to pairs of planets Earth–Venus and Earth-Mars within a time range of 2020 to 2120. They say asteroids can be used as interplanetary busses which will prove to be a much faster mode of transport between the planets. The researchers estimate the trips might even be completed within as soon as 180 days. Also Read: Life might have been floating freely in universe all this time while humans look towards planets Several asteroids have been shortlisted They have zeroed in on 120 candidates for Earth-Mars, Earth-Venus, Mars-Earth, Venus-Earth, and even Mars-Venus and Venus-Mars trips. If the idea works out, it cancels out the need for creating a spacecraft to carry humans to other planers. However, a technological solution would still be needed to protect one against radiation. The list of asteroids that can potentially help with planet-hopping will only grow since near-Earth objects are regularly discovered. NASA’s NEO Surveyor mission will prove to be of crucial help in this area as it is working to find more than 90 per cent of all NEOs larger than 140 metres in diameter. Experts believe the right asteroid can prove extremely useful in the cosmic journey. Astronauts can possibly use it as a fuel station and seek shelter under features like caves to shield themselves from radiation.

Asteroids can take humans to other planets. 'Like an interplanetary bus...'

Life on Mars may thrive under the frozen water on the planet's surface, according to a new NASA study. It proposes that microbes could find a potential home under the ice, similar to what has been observed on Earth.

The study authors used computer modelling to show that photosynthesis is possible in shallow pools of meltwater under the surface of the ice based on the amount of sunlight that can shine through it.

On Earth, pools of water within ice have been found to harbour algae, fungi, and microscopic cyanobacteria, and photosynthesis powers all of them.

Lead author of the study, Aditya Khuller of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, says that "Martian ice exposures are probably one of the most accessible places we should be looking" for life in the universe today.

The paper has been published in Communications Earth &amp; Environment.

Mars has two types of ice - frozen water and frozen carbon dioxide. The team studied water ice which formed during a series of Martian ice ages in the past million years. Snow mixed with dust fell onto the surface and later solidified into ice, still carrying specks of dust.

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The researchers say that dust particles are key to explaining how subsurface pools of water could form within ice when exposed to the sun. The darker portions of dust absorb more sunlight which causes the ice to warm up and melt up to a few feet below the surface.

However, several scientists studying Mars do not believe that ice can melt on Mars because of the planet's thin, dry atmosphere. Ice is believed to directly turn into gas on the Martian surface. But this is not likely true for the region below the dusty snowpack or glacier.

<h2>Life can thrive inside&nbsp;pockets of meltwater</h2>

Dust within ice on Earth creates small cavities when windblown dust lands there. They absorb sunlight and melt farther into the ice. Once far enough from the sun's rays, they stop sinking. There is still enough warmth to create a pocket of meltwater around them. These pockets can nourish a thriving ecosystem for simple lifeforms.

"This is a common phenomenon on Earth," said co-author Phil Christensen of Arizona State University in Tempe.

"Dense snow and ice can melt from the inside out, letting in sunlight that warms it like a greenhouse, rather than melting from the top down."

The new paper suggests that on Mars, dusty ice lets in enough light for photosynthesis to occur as deep as nine feet below the surface. The upper layers of ice act as a shield and prevent the shallow subsurface pools of water from evaporating and also protect them from harmful radiation.

This becomes important because Mars lacks a protective magnetic field to shield it from both the sun and radioactive cosmic ray particles.

Life on Mars may thrive under the frozen water on the planet's surface, according to a new NASA study. It proposes that microbes could find a potential home under the ice, similar to what has been observed on Earth.

Life on Mars may thrive under the frozen water on the planet's surface, according to a new NASA study. It proposes that microbes could find a potential home under the ice, similar to what has been observed on Earth. The study authors used computer modelling to show that photosynthesis is possible in shallow pools of meltwater under the surface of the ice based on the amount of sunlight that can shine through it. On Earth, pools of water within ice have been found to harbour algae, fungi, and microscopic cyanobacteria, and photosynthesis powers all of them. Lead author of the study, Aditya Khuller of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, says that "Martian ice exposures are probably one of the most accessible places we should be looking" for life in the universe today. The paper has been published in Communications Earth & Environment. Mars has two types of ice - frozen water and frozen carbon dioxide. The team studied water ice which formed during a series of Martian ice ages in the past million years. Snow mixed with dust fell onto the surface and later solidified into ice, still carrying specks of dust. Also Read: Trip to space for $125K: Space balloon with Richard Branson as co-pilot to launch in 2025 The researchers say that dust particles are key to explaining how subsurface pools of water could form within ice when exposed to the sun. The darker portions of dust absorb more sunlight which causes the ice to warm up and melt up to a few feet below the surface. However, several scientists studying Mars do not believe that ice can melt on Mars because of the planet's thin, dry atmosphere. Ice is believed to directly turn into gas on the Martian surface. But this is not likely true for the region below the dusty snowpack or glacier. Life can thrive inside pockets of meltwater Dust within ice on Earth creates small cavities when windblown dust lands there. They absorb sunlight and melt farther into the ice. Once far enough from the sun's rays, they stop sinking. There is still enough warmth to create a pocket of meltwater around them. These pockets can nourish a thriving ecosystem for simple lifeforms. "This is a common phenomenon on Earth," said co-author Phil Christensen of Arizona State University in Tempe. "Dense snow and ice can melt from the inside out, letting in sunlight that warms it like a greenhouse, rather than melting from the top down." The new paper suggests that on Mars, dusty ice lets in enough light for photosynthesis to occur as deep as nine feet below the surface. The upper layers of ice act as a shield and prevent the shallow subsurface pools of water from evaporating and also protect them from harmful radiation. This becomes important because Mars lacks a protective magnetic field to shield it from both the sun and radioactive cosmic ray particles.

Life might thrive under frozen water on Mars, study says

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express has spotted some remarkable mysterious features in the south polar region of the Red Planet.

The landforms, which are surrounded by darker than the icy realms, have earned the title of ‘cryptic terrain’.

The planet's seasonal polar caps are filled with carbon dioxide ice and have a touch of water ice.&nbsp;

As the spring arrives, the ice is known to sublimate at a good pace and quickly turn from a solid state to vapour because of which a considerable amount of gas gets freed into the thin atmosphere of Mars.

The process is known to reverse during autumn as the vapour condenses and the caps continue to grow. In this process, these mysterious landforms are formed out of the freeze-thaw cycle.

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This landform has been found in Australe Scopuli, which was captured by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) onboard&nbsp;Mars Express&nbsp;during spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

<h2>All about Australe Scopuli</h2>

The Australe Scopuli has layered deposits of ice which has different amounts of dust trapped beneath the smooth surface of the polar layered deposits.

In the centre of this region is the cryptic terrain, which is darker in comparison to the rest of the ice cap.

In the image captured, the dark centre stage was covered with different types of polygon shapes at various scales.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the polygon edges appear to be trapped in bright frost, which is a pattern found in the Arctic and Antarctic regions on Earth.

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Such patterns generally indicate the presence of water ice in the ground. In the image are bright and dark fan-shaped deposits that appear in the direction of prevailing winds.&nbsp;

In early spring, sunlight permeates across the translucent carbon dioxide ice layer and leads to warming of the underlying surface, where pressure is built by pockets of trapped gases that cause the overlying ice to crack.

Through the surface, the jets of gas burst and carry dark dust from below. &nbsp;When the dust settles back, it falls in the direction of the prevailing wind patterns.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express has spotted some remarkable mysterious features in the south polar region of the Red Planet. The landforms, which are surrounded by darker than the icy realms, have earned the title of ‘cryptic terrain’.

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express has spotted some remarkable mysterious features in the south polar region of the Red Planet. The landforms, which are surrounded by darker than the icy realms, have earned the title of ‘cryptic terrain’. The planet's seasonal polar caps are filled with carbon dioxide ice and have a touch of water ice. As the spring arrives, the ice is known to sublimate at a good pace and quickly turn from a solid state to vapour because of which a considerable amount of gas gets freed into the thin atmosphere of Mars. The process is known to reverse during autumn as the vapour condenses and the caps continue to grow. In this process, these mysterious landforms are formed out of the freeze-thaw cycle. Also Read: Scientists reveal Mars battery that can operate for months on a single charge This landform has been found in Australe Scopuli, which was captured by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) onboard Mars Express during spring in the Southern Hemisphere. All about Australe Scopuli The Australe Scopuli has layered deposits of ice which has different amounts of dust trapped beneath the smooth surface of the polar layered deposits. In the centre of this region is the cryptic terrain, which is darker in comparison to the rest of the ice cap. In the image captured, the dark centre stage was covered with different types of polygon shapes at various scales. Meanwhile, the polygon edges appear to be trapped in bright frost, which is a pattern found in the Arctic and Antarctic regions on Earth. Also Read: Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from? Such patterns generally indicate the presence of water ice in the ground. In the image are bright and dark fan-shaped deposits that appear in the direction of prevailing winds. In early spring, sunlight permeates across the translucent carbon dioxide ice layer and leads to warming of the underlying surface, where pressure is built by pockets of trapped gases that cause the overlying ice to crack. Through the surface, the jets of gas burst and carry dark dust from below. When the dust settles back, it falls in the direction of the prevailing wind patterns. (With inputs from agencies)

Mysterious landforms are rising on Mars. Here's how

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft has clicked the photo of a region on the red planet that looks like a Japanese dry zen garden. It recently snapped the Daedalia Planum from orbit where the spectacular site is present.&nbsp;

The MRO team shared the photo in an image-of-the-day feature on Oct 7 and wrote, "This terrain looks as if it was raked into furrows like a Japanese dry garden."

The Tharsis region on Mars was once a volcanic region where several volcanoes still stand.&nbsp;The lava that flowed from Arsia Mons, a large volcano here, gave birth to Daedalia Planum.&nbsp;

The MRO team also likened the photo to fingerprints, pointing out bright boulders arranged in curving rows. Upon closer inspection, one can see the whorl-like patterns in the landscape.

"Some process has evidently sorted and segregated the larger boulders from the finer soil,” the team said. “Exactly what that process is presents a perplexing puzzle," the MRO team stated.

Notably, nowhere else on Mars has such a pattern been ever seen.

The image was taken from an elevation of 17,900 feet. The Tharsis region doesn't have any active volcanoes today. But the region has intrigued scientists for years.

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Previously, the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft took a wide view of the volcanic site, capturing its varied and unusual terrain.

<h2>How did a Japanese Zen garden form on Mars?</h2>

The MRO team says vibrations or freeze-thaw cycles can cause such a pattern to form. Japanese Zen gardens are created by raking sand or gravel into curving patterns alongside rocks, trees and plants. The team points to the concept of "grain size convection" where grains certain vibrations or freeze-thaw cycles can separate grains of different sizes.&nbsp;

Something similar is likely happening with the Daedalia Planum boulders and soil, the team said. "Seismic shaking of Daedalia Planum could take place if the interior of Tharsis is still active and rumbling."

Notably, the Reconnaissance Orbiter has been orbiting Mars since 2006 and has send several images since then.

Mars has become the biggest topic of interest among not only astronomers but also people like Elon Musk who want to see humans reach the red planet in the coming years.&nbsp;

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft has clicked the photo of a region on the red planet that looks like a Japanese dry zen garden. It recently snapped the Daedalia Planum from orbit where the spectacular site is present.

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft has clicked the photo of a region on the red planet that looks like a Japanese dry zen garden. It recently snapped the Daedalia Planum from orbit where the spectacular site is present. The MRO team shared the photo in an image-of-the-day feature on Oct 7 and wrote, "This terrain looks as if it was raked into furrows like a Japanese dry garden." The Tharsis region on Mars was once a volcanic region where several volcanoes still stand. The lava that flowed from Arsia Mons, a large volcano here, gave birth to Daedalia Planum. The MRO team also likened the photo to fingerprints, pointing out bright boulders arranged in curving rows. Upon closer inspection, one can see the whorl-like patterns in the landscape. "Some process has evidently sorted and segregated the larger boulders from the finer soil,” the team said. “Exactly what that process is presents a perplexing puzzle," the MRO team stated. Notably, nowhere else on Mars has such a pattern been ever seen. The image was taken from an elevation of 17,900 feet. The Tharsis region doesn't have any active volcanoes today. But the region has intrigued scientists for years. Also Read: Supermassive black hole on a killing spree is using dead star remains as weapon Previously, the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft took a wide view of the volcanic site, capturing its varied and unusual terrain. How did a Japanese Zen garden form on Mars? The MRO team says vibrations or freeze-thaw cycles can cause such a pattern to form. Japanese Zen gardens are created by raking sand or gravel into curving patterns alongside rocks, trees and plants. The team points to the concept of "grain size convection" where grains certain vibrations or freeze-thaw cycles can separate grains of different sizes. Something similar is likely happening with the Daedalia Planum boulders and soil, the team said. "Seismic shaking of Daedalia Planum could take place if the interior of Tharsis is still active and rumbling." Notably, the Reconnaissance Orbiter has been orbiting Mars since 2006 and has send several images since then. Mars has become the biggest topic of interest among not only astronomers but also people like Elon Musk who want to see humans reach the red planet in the coming years.

'Japanese zen gardens' appear on Mars in volcano-filled Tharsis region

Perseverance rover has captured a photo of a rock on Mars that looks totally relatable. If you are feeling tired and exhausted in the middle of the week, then this rock will give you company, echoing similar vibes.

The rock looks like the face of a man lying down who is done with the stress and just wants to rest. The photo was clicked on September 27 by Perseverance with the camera placed on the right side of its mast. The rover is currently on a journey towards the rim of the Jezero Crater, an area on the red planet that has intrigued scientists for years. It is believed to have harboured water in the past.

The image shows a bunch of rocks scattered in the area. The specific rock is on the far left side of the photo which looks weirdly like a face lying on its side. It bears facial features, like eyes, nose and mouth that are clearly visible. It looks squashed but you can't deny the resemblance.

Rovers have been sending images of the Martian landscape for years and this is not the first time that such a fascinating rock has been spotted. Recently, Perseverance sent a photo of a rock with zebra-like black-and-white stripes.&nbsp;

It took this image during the current trek of the Jezero Crater. The unusual rock was named Freya Castle after being spotted in the background by the team on Earth.&nbsp;

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Clearer photos of the rock downlinked days later showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. Experts are eager to learn more about the "zebra rock" and believe igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes.

It was the only rock at the scene and likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. In July, the rover found a rock with leopard-like pattern.

Most of the rocks on Mars were shaped by volcanic activity, wind erosion, and ancient water flows.&nbsp;

<h2>Human face spotted on Mars by Viking 1</h2>

While the&nbsp;face in the rock is quite evident, nearly 50 years back something similar happened when a human face was captured on Mars. This phenomenon of seeing faces in inanimate objects is known as pareidolia, a psychological illusion.

This is what happened in 1976 when NASA’s Viking 1 orbiter captured an image of a region on Mars called Cydonia. People were sure they saw a human face in a strange formation. Rumours swirled that an ancient Martian civilisation had built a monument showing the planet’s former inhabitants.&nbsp;

However, it turned out to be a hill.

As Perseverance travels uphill towards Jezero Crater, we can expect more strange sightings.

Perseverance rover has captured a photo of a rock on Mars that looks totally relatable. If you are feeling tired and exhausted in the middle of the week, then this rock will give you company, echoing similar vibes.

Perseverance rover has captured a photo of a rock on Mars that looks totally relatable. If you are feeling tired and exhausted in the middle of the week, then this rock will give you company, echoing similar vibes. The rock looks like the face of a man lying down who is done with the stress and just wants to rest. The photo was clicked on September 27 by Perseverance with the camera placed on the right side of its mast. The rover is currently on a journey towards the rim of the Jezero Crater, an area on the red planet that has intrigued scientists for years. It is believed to have harboured water in the past. The image shows a bunch of rocks scattered in the area. The specific rock is on the far left side of the photo which looks weirdly like a face lying on its side. It bears facial features, like eyes, nose and mouth that are clearly visible. It looks squashed but you can't deny the resemblance. Rovers have been sending images of the Martian landscape for years and this is not the first time that such a fascinating rock has been spotted. Recently, Perseverance sent a photo of a rock with zebra-like black-and-white stripes. It took this image during the current trek of the Jezero Crater. The unusual rock was named Freya Castle after being spotted in the background by the team on Earth. Also Read: Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from? Clearer photos of the rock downlinked days later showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. Experts are eager to learn more about the "zebra rock" and believe igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes. It was the only rock at the scene and likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. In July, the rover found a rock with leopard-like pattern. Most of the rocks on Mars were shaped by volcanic activity, wind erosion, and ancient water flows. Human face spotted on Mars by Viking 1 While the face in the rock is quite evident, nearly 50 years back something similar happened when a human face was captured on Mars. This phenomenon of seeing faces in inanimate objects is known as pareidolia, a psychological illusion. This is what happened in 1976 when NASA’s Viking 1 orbiter captured an image of a region on Mars called Cydonia. People were sure they saw a human face in a strange formation. Rumours swirled that an ancient Martian civilisation had built a monument showing the planet’s former inhabitants. However, it turned out to be a hill. As Perseverance travels uphill towards Jezero Crater, we can expect more strange sightings.

Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable. It is really just a...

Putting humans on Mars and then ensuring they survive would require a lot of effort since the red planet is very different from Earth. This includes ensuring that everything works in an optimal way.&nbsp;

Energy would be one of the primary requirements, but carrying the relevant infrastructure from Earth to Mars isn't feasible. China has now come up with a solution which can ensure a consistent energy source for bases, rovers, and other equipment needed to explore and live on Mars.

A team of scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China has come up with a unique battery that can harness the Martian atmosphere as fuel during discharge.&nbsp;

"This approach significantly reduces the battery’s weight, making it more suitable for space missions," researchers stated in the press release.&nbsp;

The martian atmosphere contains carbon dioxide (95.32%), nitrogen (2.7%), argon (1.6%), oxygen (0.13%), and carbon monoxide (0.08%). Its day and night temperatures vary by around 60 degrees Celsius. The battery needed to perfectly work in these conditions.

Scientists showed in the study how "Mars batteries" can work in actual Martian conditions. It was published in the journal Science Bulletin.

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The battery can directly use the gases in the Martian atmosphere as its fuel source. The Mars battery continuously reacts with the chemicals using the gases as fuel. This avoids the need to store energy like a regular battery.&nbsp;

When being discharged, the battery’s electrodes come in contact with the Martian gases, creating a chemical reaction that produces electricity. When depleted, solar or nuclear energy can be used to recharge it.

"Once depleted, the battery can be recharged using solar energy harvested from the Martian surface, enabling it to be prepared for subsequent discharges," the press release stated.&nbsp;

It has a charge/discharge cycle life of 1,375 hours, which is around two Martian months.&nbsp;

As stated above, Mars goes through extreme temperature fluctuations. The research states that this battery can withstand the harsh conditions of Mars. To ensure it works well on the red planet, the team simulated the temperature variations.&nbsp;

They found the battery could operate even at the freezing point of 0°C (32 Fahrenheit) and exhibited an energy density of 373.9 Wh/kg at this temperature level.

Researchers now aim to develop solid-state Mars batteries that can withstand low pressure and lead to the development of advanced space exploration systems.

Putting humans on Mars and then ensuring they survive would require a lot of effort since the red planet is very different from Earth. This includes ensuring that everything works in an optimal way.

Putting humans on Mars and then ensuring they survive would require a lot of effort since the red planet is very different from Earth. This includes ensuring that everything works in an optimal way. Energy would be one of the primary requirements, but carrying the relevant infrastructure from Earth to Mars isn't feasible. China has now come up with a solution which can ensure a consistent energy source for bases, rovers, and other equipment needed to explore and live on Mars. A team of scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China has come up with a unique battery that can harness the Martian atmosphere as fuel during discharge. "This approach significantly reduces the battery’s weight, making it more suitable for space missions," researchers stated in the press release. The martian atmosphere contains carbon dioxide (95.32%), nitrogen (2.7%), argon (1.6%), oxygen (0.13%), and carbon monoxide (0.08%). Its day and night temperatures vary by around 60 degrees Celsius. The battery needed to perfectly work in these conditions. Scientists showed in the study how "Mars batteries" can work in actual Martian conditions. It was published in the journal Science Bulletin. Also Read: Do you see it? Human face spotted on Mars is totally relatable. It is really just a... The battery can directly use the gases in the Martian atmosphere as its fuel source. The Mars battery continuously reacts with the chemicals using the gases as fuel. This avoids the need to store energy like a regular battery. When being discharged, the battery’s electrodes come in contact with the Martian gases, creating a chemical reaction that produces electricity. When depleted, solar or nuclear energy can be used to recharge it. "Once depleted, the battery can be recharged using solar energy harvested from the Martian surface, enabling it to be prepared for subsequent discharges," the press release stated. It has a charge/discharge cycle life of 1,375 hours, which is around two Martian months. As stated above, Mars goes through extreme temperature fluctuations. The research states that this battery can withstand the harsh conditions of Mars. To ensure it works well on the red planet, the team simulated the temperature variations. They found the battery could operate even at the freezing point of 0°C (32 Fahrenheit) and exhibited an energy density of 373.9 Wh/kg at this temperature level. Researchers now aim to develop solid-state Mars batteries that can withstand low pressure and lead to the development of advanced space exploration systems.

Scientists reveal Mars battery that can operate for months on a single charge

Mars exploration has taken a significant leap forward with the development of a new self-charging battery designed to power future missions. This innovative technology, capable of recharging itself using Martian environmental factors like sunlight and temperature changes, could enhance the sustainability of long-term missions. The battery's ability to provide continuous energy without frequent replacements offers greater efficiency for rovers, landers, and future human explorers on the Red Planet. This breakthrough is expected to play a key role in advancing scientific exploration and potential human settlement on Mars.

Mars Exploration Gets A Boost With New Self-Charging Battery Technology

The Curiosity rover of NASA is exploring the Gale crater on Mars currently and is providing more details about how the Red Planet's climate turned from potentially suitable for life to inhospitable to terrestrial life.&nbsp;

It has been known that Mars was holding widespread liquid water in ancient times, as per the evidence.&nbsp;

Even though the surface of Mars is hostile and frigid to life, NASA's robotic explorers&nbsp;have been finding clues about whether the planet supported life in the distant past.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-spooky-smiley-face-appears-on-mars-scientists-say-its-hiding-life-forms-757191">A 'spooky smiley face' appears on Mars. Scientists say it's hiding life forms...</a>

The instruments on board Curiosity have been used by the researchers for measuring the isotopic composition of carbon-rich minerals (carbonates) which were discovered in the Gale crater and found new insights into how the ancient climate of the Red Planet transformed.

<h2>Here's what happened to ancient Mars</h2>

"The isotope values of these carbonates point toward extreme amounts of evaporation, suggesting that these carbonates likely formed in a climate that could only support transient liquid&nbsp;water," said David Burtt, who is lead author of a paper and works at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.&nbsp;

The research was&nbsp;published&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Our samples are not consistent with an ancient environment with life (biosphere) on the surface of Mars, although this does not rule out the possibility of an underground biosphere or a surface biosphere that began and ended before these carbonates formed," Burtt said.&nbsp;

Isotopes are different versions of an element which have different masses. With the evaporation of water, light versions of carbon and oxygen escaped into the atmosphere while the heavy versions remained behind, accumulated in high abundances and were eventually incorporated into the carbonate rocks.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/perseverance-spots-an-odd-rock-on-mars-with-zebra-stripes-where-did-it-come-from-761350">Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from?</a>

In the paper, the researchers proposed two ways in which carbonates present at Gale were formed.

In the first case, carbonates were created in a series of wet-dry cycles that took place in the Gale Crater. In the second way, carbonates were formed in very salty water that was under cold, ice-forming (cryogenic) conditions in the Gale Crater.

"These formation mechanisms represent two different climate regimes that may present different habitability scenarios," said Jennifer Stern, who is co-author of the paper and is from NASA Goddard.

"Wet-dry cycling would indicate alternation between more-habitable and less-habitable environments, while&nbsp;cryogenic temperatures&nbsp;in the mid-latitudes of Mars would indicate a less-habitable environment where most water is locked up in ice and not available for chemistry or biology, and what is there is extremely salty and unpleasant for life," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Curiosity rover of NASA is exploring the Gale crater on Mars currently and is providing more details about how the Red Planet's climate turned from potentially suitable for life to inhospitable to terrestrial life.

The Curiosity rover of NASA is exploring the Gale crater on Mars currently and is providing more details about how the Red Planet's climate turned from potentially suitable for life to inhospitable to terrestrial life. It has been known that Mars was holding widespread liquid water in ancient times, as per the evidence. Even though the surface of Mars is hostile and frigid to life, NASA's robotic explorers have been finding clues about whether the planet supported life in the distant past. Also Read: A 'spooky smiley face' appears on Mars. Scientists say it's hiding life forms... The instruments on board Curiosity have been used by the researchers for measuring the isotopic composition of carbon-rich minerals (carbonates) which were discovered in the Gale crater and found new insights into how the ancient climate of the Red Planet transformed. Here's what happened to ancient Mars "The isotope values of these carbonates point toward extreme amounts of evaporation, suggesting that these carbonates likely formed in a climate that could only support transient liquid water," said David Burtt, who is lead author of a paper and works at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Our samples are not consistent with an ancient environment with life (biosphere) on the surface of Mars, although this does not rule out the possibility of an underground biosphere or a surface biosphere that began and ended before these carbonates formed," Burtt said. Isotopes are different versions of an element which have different masses. With the evaporation of water, light versions of carbon and oxygen escaped into the atmosphere while the heavy versions remained behind, accumulated in high abundances and were eventually incorporated into the carbonate rocks. Also Read: Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from? In the paper, the researchers proposed two ways in which carbonates present at Gale were formed. In the first case, carbonates were created in a series of wet-dry cycles that took place in the Gale Crater. In the second way, carbonates were formed in very salty water that was under cold, ice-forming (cryogenic) conditions in the Gale Crater. "These formation mechanisms represent two different climate regimes that may present different habitability scenarios," said Jennifer Stern, who is co-author of the paper and is from NASA Goddard. "Wet-dry cycling would indicate alternation between more-habitable and less-habitable environments, while cryogenic temperatures in the mid-latitudes of Mars would indicate a less-habitable environment where most water is locked up in ice and not available for chemistry or biology, and what is there is extremely salty and unpleasant for life," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars once had water to support life. Curiosity rover now finds what made it uninhabitable

Humans might live in mushroom colonies, built using fungus, algae and water on the Moon in the coming years. This is if NASA's new plan is executed perfectly.

The space agency plans to conquer the Moon and build colonies where humans can live and conduct more experiments. It is supposed to act as a springboard to reach further into space, especially Mars.&nbsp;

However, NASA is faced with the dilemma of building these structures since it might not be possible to send bricks and steel to the Moon, and even if it can, whether or not they can sustain the lunar environment is an altogether different question. Besides, sending just one pound of material to the moon costs a whopping million dollars.&nbsp;

This is where fungus comes into the picture, as per fresh plans to settle humans there, which is expected to prove cost-effective as well as resilient.

Al Jazeera reported that NASA is planning to use mycotecture, a method that uses fungal spores and algae, to not build, but grow structures in space.

NASA is collaborating with others to make it a reality. Chris Maurer, founder of the architecture firm Redhouse, a company partnering with the space agency, told Al Jazeera, "You can’t take boards or bricks. So what are you going to build with?"

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-are-on-a-mission-to-find-15-million-year-old-ice-oldest-in-the-world-762792">Scientists are on a mission to find 1.5-million-year-old ice, oldest in the world</a>

The answer lies in the lunar soil, water and mould, which will be sent to the Moon in sealed and inflatable form. The fungal spores, when combined with algae and water, will literally start growing into habitable structures which will provide the perfect place for humans to stay.&nbsp;

Experts say these mushroom buildings will protect astronauts from dangerous space events, such as the widespread harmful radiation and micrometeorites.

Radiation, Maurer says, is the primary reason why man has never returned to the Moon since the epic Apollo missions.&nbsp;

He says fungus-based structures will prove to be a game-changer in man's quest to go back to the moon, and further into space. Just eight centimetres of the material can block over 99 per cent of radiation. The magnum of this plan can be gauged by the fact that in contrast 10 feet of lunar dust does the same job.&nbsp;

As the first step, NASA will test small-scale models on the moon by 2028.&nbsp;

NASA wants to build bases on the Moon which astronauts will use as stepping stones to travel towards their next destination - Mars.&nbsp;

Similar mushroom structures will be used to build&nbsp;on Mars as well in which humans will be able to dwell safely.&nbsp;

Humans might live in mushroom colonies, built using fungus, algae and water on the Moon in the coming years. This is if NASA's new plan is executed perfectly. The space agency plans to conquer the Moon and build colonies where humans can live and conduct more experiments.

Humans might live in mushroom colonies, built using fungus, algae and water on the Moon in the coming years. This is if NASA's new plan is executed perfectly. The space agency plans to conquer the Moon and build colonies where humans can live and conduct more experiments. It is supposed to act as a springboard to reach further into space, especially Mars. However, NASA is faced with the dilemma of building these structures since it might not be possible to send bricks and steel to the Moon, and even if it can, whether or not they can sustain the lunar environment is an altogether different question. Besides, sending just one pound of material to the moon costs a whopping million dollars. This is where fungus comes into the picture, as per fresh plans to settle humans there, which is expected to prove cost-effective as well as resilient. Al Jazeera reported that NASA is planning to use mycotecture, a method that uses fungal spores and algae, to not build, but grow structures in space. NASA is collaborating with others to make it a reality. Chris Maurer, founder of the architecture firm Redhouse, a company partnering with the space agency, told Al Jazeera, "You can’t take boards or bricks. So what are you going to build with?" Also Read: Scientists are on a mission to find 1.5-million-year-old ice, oldest in the world The answer lies in the lunar soil, water and mould, which will be sent to the Moon in sealed and inflatable form. The fungal spores, when combined with algae and water, will literally start growing into habitable structures which will provide the perfect place for humans to stay. Experts say these mushroom buildings will protect astronauts from dangerous space events, such as the widespread harmful radiation and micrometeorites. Radiation, Maurer says, is the primary reason why man has never returned to the Moon since the epic Apollo missions. He says fungus-based structures will prove to be a game-changer in man's quest to go back to the moon, and further into space. Just eight centimetres of the material can block over 99 per cent of radiation. The magnum of this plan can be gauged by the fact that in contrast 10 feet of lunar dust does the same job. As the first step, NASA will test small-scale models on the moon by 2028. NASA wants to build bases on the Moon which astronauts will use as stepping stones to travel towards their next destination - Mars. Similar mushroom structures will be used to build on Mars as well in which humans will be able to dwell safely.

NASA wants to 'grow' fungus and algae houses on Moon for astronauts

For human civilisations, creating a home on Mars has been a far-fetched dream as scientists hope to make the Red Planet a habitat for humans in the future. However, this dream appears difficult to achieve in the wake of brutal conditions on the planet, which experts warn can change the colour of humans and weaken their eyesight.

For human civilisations, creating a home on Mars has been a far-fetched dream as scientists hope to make the Red Planet a habitat for humans in the future. However, this dream appears difficult to achieve in the wake of brutal conditions on the planet, which experts warn can change the colour of humans and weaken their eyesight. According to experts, humans will find it extremely difficult to survive on Mars amid the harsh conditions. Experts warn of drastic mutations in humans on Mars According to biologist Dr Scott Solomon, who is from Rice University in Texas, if human settlers on Mars give birth to children, the latter are likely to undergo various drastic mutations and evolutionary changes. Also Read: Mars once lost its atmosphere. Scientists now believe they may have found it These mutations can occur because of low gravitation forces and high radiation and can result in green skin tone, weak muscles, poor eyesight and brittle bones, he said. In comparison to Earth, Mars is a smaller planet and has 30 per cent less gravity than our planet. There is also a lack of a protective ozone layer and magnetic field on the red planet, which exposes the planet to space radiation, cosmic rays, UV and charged particles released from the sun. This kind of environment has led to the mutation of humans at extreme rates so that they can cope with the new conditions. Dr Solomon explained that this can lead to changes in skin colour, which can help in coping with radiation. Watch: Is there life on mars? Scientists find 'oceans' of water miles beneath surface “Perhaps in the face of this high radiation, we might evolve some new type of skin pigment to help us deal with that radiation,” explained Solomon in his book, Future Humans. “Maybe we get our own green men," he added. He further said that lack of gravity can cause bones to turn brittle, which can break the pelvises of women during childbirth. He said that eyesight can get weaker because there will be a decline in the need to look at far distances in the wake of humans living together in small enclaves. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans may 'turn green and lose eyesight' while living on Mars, warns biologist

Mars once was a vibrant planet with a thick atmosphere and water bodies billions of years ago. However, now it is a cold and dry desert and with the thick atmosphere no more in sight.

While hunting for this lost atmosphere, two MIT geologists believe that most likely it has been hiding in the clay-covered crust of Mars.&nbsp;

According to the study, Martian clay can store nearly 80 per cent of the initial atmosphere on the planet.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-gravity-map-finds-mysterious-blobs-martian-dog-beneath-its-seabed-761465">Mars' gravity map finds mysterious blobs, 'Martian dog' beneath its seabed</a>

“Around 3.5 billion years ago, the water dried up, and the air, once heavy with carbon dioxide, dramatically thinned, leaving only the wisp of an atmosphere that clings to the planet today,” stated the researchers.&nbsp;

<h2>How did the atmosphere of Mars get trapped?</h2>

As per the researchers, ancient water which trickled through the rocks of Mars may have started a series of chemical reactions and led to the conversion of CO2 into methane, which was eventually trapped in the clay of the planet for billions of years.

This process shares similarities with the processes which take place in some regions on Earth.&nbsp;

The team looked into the rock-gas interactions on Earth to understand similar processes which occur on Mars.

“Based on our findings on Earth, we show that similar processes likely operated on Mars, and that copious amounts of atmospheric CO2 could have transformed to methane and been sequestered in clays,” said Oliver Jagoutz, who is the study author and professor of geology at MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS).&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

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"We know this process happens, and it is well-documented on Earth. And these rocks and clays exist on Mars. So, we wanted to try and connect the dots," Jagoutz said.

Because the tectonic activity on Mars is not similar to that on Earth, the team tried to understand the origin of the clays on Mars.

The team, in their previous research, said that smectites are able to store carbon for “billions of years”.

“These smectite clays have so much capacity to store carbon. So then we used existing knowledge of how these minerals are stored in clays on Earth, and extrapolated to say: if the Martian surface has this much clay in it, how much methane can you store in those clays?” said Dr Murray.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Mars once was a vibrant planet with a thick atmosphere and water bodies billions of years ago. However, now it is a cold and dry desert and with the thick atmosphere no more in sight.

Mars once was a vibrant planet with a thick atmosphere and water bodies billions of years ago. However, now it is a cold and dry desert and with the thick atmosphere no more in sight. While hunting for this lost atmosphere, two MIT geologists believe that most likely it has been hiding in the clay-covered crust of Mars. According to the study, Martian clay can store nearly 80 per cent of the initial atmosphere on the planet. Also Read: Mars' gravity map finds mysterious blobs, 'Martian dog' beneath its seabed “Around 3.5 billion years ago, the water dried up, and the air, once heavy with carbon dioxide, dramatically thinned, leaving only the wisp of an atmosphere that clings to the planet today,” stated the researchers. How did the atmosphere of Mars get trapped? As per the researchers, ancient water which trickled through the rocks of Mars may have started a series of chemical reactions and led to the conversion of CO2 into methane, which was eventually trapped in the clay of the planet for billions of years. This process shares similarities with the processes which take place in some regions on Earth. The team looked into the rock-gas interactions on Earth to understand similar processes which occur on Mars. “Based on our findings on Earth, we show that similar processes likely operated on Mars, and that copious amounts of atmospheric CO2 could have transformed to methane and been sequestered in clays,” said Oliver Jagoutz, who is the study author and professor of geology at MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years "We know this process happens, and it is well-documented on Earth. And these rocks and clays exist on Mars. So, we wanted to try and connect the dots," Jagoutz said. Because the tectonic activity on Mars is not similar to that on Earth, the team tried to understand the origin of the clays on Mars. The team, in their previous research, said that smectites are able to store carbon for “billions of years”. “These smectite clays have so much capacity to store carbon. So then we used existing knowledge of how these minerals are stored in clays on Earth, and extrapolated to say: if the Martian surface has this much clay in it, how much methane can you store in those clays?” said Dr Murray. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars once lost its atmosphere. Scientists now believe they may have found it

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. While the initial ascent was slower, Perseverance is now moving remarkably faster and has cruised along a flatter stretch.&nbsp;

While the rover&nbsp;was travelling through a pebbly terrain of Jezero, team members spotted a cobble in the distance that looked unusual. Low-resolution Navcam images showed that it likely had an unusual texture. They named it Freya Castle and planned a multispectral observation using the Mastcam-Z camera.

After the Perseverance rover had moved on in its journey, data downlinked a couple of days later surprised the researchers. Clearer photos of the rock showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. The picture has created a frenzy as people are intrigued to know more about this "zebra rock".

Scientists say that the rock is unlike any other ever found not only in the Jezero Crater but all of Mars. While they are not sure of its chemical composition, as per early interpretations igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes.

The Freya Castle is a lone stone and completely&nbsp;different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/curiosity-rover-cuts-open-rock-on-mars-spilling-out-an-unexpected-secret-742213">Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret</a>

As Perseverance continues to travel upwards, scientists are excited by what more it might find. Finding more such rocks will help them acquire more detailed measurements.

<h2>Sulfur in Mars rocks</h2>

This is not the first time that a fascinating rock has been found on Mars. The vicinity of the crater rim had earlier presented an increased variety of rocks, such as the diverse collection of boulders at Mount Washburn.&nbsp;

A few weeks back, Curiosity Rover drove over some stones, cracking open one of them and yellow sulfur crystal tumbled out, a first for the red planet.&nbsp;

“Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.&nbsp;

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim.

The Perseverance rover has spotted a black-and-white striped rock on Mars, amazing scientists and the general public. The rover made the discovery while climbing the steep slopes of the Jezero Crater and marching towards its rim. While the initial ascent was slower, Perseverance is now moving remarkably faster and has cruised along a flatter stretch. While the rover was travelling through a pebbly terrain of Jezero, team members spotted a cobble in the distance that looked unusual. Low-resolution Navcam images showed that it likely had an unusual texture. They named it Freya Castle and planned a multispectral observation using the Mastcam-Z camera. After the Perseverance rover had moved on in its journey, data downlinked a couple of days later surprised the researchers. Clearer photos of the rock showed that Freya Castle is around 20 cm across in size and has alternating black and white stripes. The picture has created a frenzy as people are intrigued to know more about this "zebra rock". Scientists say that the rock is unlike any other ever found not only in the Jezero Crater but all of Mars. While they are not sure of its chemical composition, as per early interpretations igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes. The Freya Castle is a lone stone and completely different from the underlying bedrock. Experts think that the rock likely rolled downhill from somewhere higher where more such rocks might be present. Also Read: Curiosity rover cuts open rock on Mars, spilling out an unexpected secret As Perseverance continues to travel upwards, scientists are excited by what more it might find. Finding more such rocks will help them acquire more detailed measurements. Sulfur in Mars rocks This is not the first time that a fascinating rock has been found on Mars. The vicinity of the crater rim had earlier presented an increased variety of rocks, such as the diverse collection of boulders at Mount Washburn. A few weeks back, Curiosity Rover drove over some stones, cracking open one of them and yellow sulfur crystal tumbled out, a first for the red planet. “Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” Curiosity’s project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said.

Perseverance spots an odd rock on Mars with zebra stripes. Where did it come from?

A new "gravity map" of Mars has revealed the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of Mars that were unknown to humankind till now,

On the map, dozens of mysteriously dense blobs were spotted - one of them being in the shape of a dog - below the ancient seabed around the north pole of the Red Planet.&nbsp;

The first-of-its-kind map further confirmed the existence of the tallest mountain on Mars.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-once-had-water-but-now-its-barren-heres-what-led-to-its-mysterious-disappearance-756902">Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance</a>

The density map of Mars was created by the researchers by combining data about the crust of the planet from NASA's InSight lander along with records of fluctuations in the satellites' orbits.

<h2>Here's what the gravity map reveals about Mars&nbsp;</h2>

The new map brought into focus 20 underground blobs present in the Borealis Basin which is in the northern hemisphere of Mars and was an ancient seabed more than 3 billion years ago.

In a statement, the researchers said that the blobs were of all shapes and sizes and one of them "resembles the shape of a dog". The density of these blobs ranged between 300 and 400 kilograms per cubic meter.&nbsp;

However, the scientists were not able to confirm how these blobs were formed and why were they so dense.&nbsp;

"These dense structures could be volcanic in origin or could be compacted material due to ancient [meteor] impacts," said study lead author&nbsp;Bart Root, who is also a planetary scientist at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, in the statement.&nbsp;

And "there seems to be no trace of them at the surface," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

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The findings were presented by the research team at the Europlanet Science Congress in Berlin between September 8-13.

The map revealed that the northern polar formations are nearly 300-400 kg/m³ denser in comparison to their surroundings.

“Through gravity data, we have a tantalizing glimpse into the older history of the northern hemisphere of Mars,” said Dr. Root.

The enormous volcanic region of Tharsis Rise, which included Olympus Mons, was also revealed in the study.

“The NASA InSight mission has given us vital new information about the hard outer layer of Mars. This means we need to rethink how we understand the support for the Olympus Mons volcano and its surroundings,” Dr. Root added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A new "gravity map" of Mars has revealed the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of Mars that were unknown to humankind till now, On the map, dozens of mysteriously dense blobs were spotted - one of them being in the shape of a dog - below the ancient seabed around the north pole of the Red Planet.

A new "gravity map" of Mars has revealed the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of Mars that were unknown to humankind till now, On the map, dozens of mysteriously dense blobs were spotted - one of them being in the shape of a dog - below the ancient seabed around the north pole of the Red Planet. The first-of-its-kind map further confirmed the existence of the tallest mountain on Mars. Also Read: Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance The density map of Mars was created by the researchers by combining data about the crust of the planet from NASA's InSight lander along with records of fluctuations in the satellites' orbits. Here's what the gravity map reveals about Mars The new map brought into focus 20 underground blobs present in the Borealis Basin which is in the northern hemisphere of Mars and was an ancient seabed more than 3 billion years ago. In a statement, the researchers said that the blobs were of all shapes and sizes and one of them "resembles the shape of a dog". The density of these blobs ranged between 300 and 400 kilograms per cubic meter. However, the scientists were not able to confirm how these blobs were formed and why were they so dense. "These dense structures could be volcanic in origin or could be compacted material due to ancient [meteor] impacts," said study lead author Bart Root, who is also a planetary scientist at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, in the statement. And "there seems to be no trace of them at the surface," he said. Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years The findings were presented by the research team at the Europlanet Science Congress in Berlin between September 8-13. The map revealed that the northern polar formations are nearly 300-400 kg/m³ denser in comparison to their surroundings. “Through gravity data, we have a tantalizing glimpse into the older history of the northern hemisphere of Mars,” said Dr. Root. The enormous volcanic region of Tharsis Rise, which included Olympus Mons, was also revealed in the study. “The NASA InSight mission has given us vital new information about the hard outer layer of Mars. This means we need to rethink how we understand the support for the Olympus Mons volcano and its surroundings,” Dr. Root added. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars' gravity map finds mysterious blobs, 'Martian dog' beneath its seabed

SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years, CEO Elon Musk said on Sunday (Sep 23) in a post on social media platform X.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Musk had said that the first Starships to Mars would launch in two years "when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens."

The CEO on Sunday said that the first crewed mission timeline will depend upon the success of the uncrewed flights. If the uncrewed missions land safely, crewed missions will be launched in four years. However, in case of challenges, crewed missions will be postponed by another two years, Musk said.

Musk, known for providing changing timelines on Starship's readiness, said earlier this year that the first uncrewed starship to land on Mars would be within five years, with the first people landing on Mars within seven years.

Watch |&nbsp;SpaceX's Polaris dawn mission makes splashdown

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In June, a Starship rocket survived a fiery, hypersonic return from space and achieved a breakthrough landing demonstration in the Indian Ocean, completing a full test mission around the globe on the rocket's fourth try.

Musk is counting on Starship to fulfil his goal of producing a large, multipurpose next-generation spacecraft capable of sending people and cargo to the moon later this decade, and ultimately flying to Mars.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-spacex-sued-for-15-million-by-cards-against-humanity-over-alleged-trespassing-on-texas-land-760932">Also read |&nbsp;Elon Musk's SpaceX sued for $15 million by Cards Against Humanity over alleged trespassing on Texas land</a>

NASA earlier this year delayed Artemis 3 mission and its first crewed moon landing in half a century using SpaceX's Starship, to September 2026. It was previously planned for late 2025, NASA said.

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa in June cancelled a private mission around the moon he had paid for, which was to have used SpaceX's Starship, citing schedule uncertainties in the rocket's development.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years, CEO Elon Musk said on Sunday (Sep 23) in a post on social media platform X. Earlier this month, Musk had said that the first Starships to Mars would launch in two years "when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens.

SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years, CEO Elon Musk said on Sunday (Sep 23) in a post on social media platform X. Earlier this month, Musk had said that the first Starships to Mars would launch in two years "when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens." The CEO on Sunday said that the first crewed mission timeline will depend upon the success of the uncrewed flights. If the uncrewed missions land safely, crewed missions will be launched in four years. However, in case of challenges, crewed missions will be postponed by another two years, Musk said. Musk, known for providing changing timelines on Starship's readiness, said earlier this year that the first uncrewed starship to land on Mars would be within five years, with the first people landing on Mars within seven years. Watch | SpaceX's Polaris dawn mission makes splashdown × In June, a Starship rocket survived a fiery, hypersonic return from space and achieved a breakthrough landing demonstration in the Indian Ocean, completing a full test mission around the globe on the rocket's fourth try. Musk is counting on Starship to fulfil his goal of producing a large, multipurpose next-generation spacecraft capable of sending people and cargo to the moon later this decade, and ultimately flying to Mars. Also read | Elon Musk's SpaceX sued for $15 million by Cards Against Humanity over alleged trespassing on Texas land NASA earlier this year delayed Artemis 3 mission and its first crewed moon landing in half a century using SpaceX's Starship, to September 2026. It was previously planned for late 2025, NASA said. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa in June cancelled a private mission around the moon he had paid for, which was to have used SpaceX's Starship, citing schedule uncertainties in the rocket's development. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

SpaceX to send 5 uncrewed Starships to Mars in 2 years, claims Elon Musk

Mars has some unique characteristics, and one of the most peculiar features is its odd shape. Unlike other planets in the solar system, it has a triaxial shape, which means it is of a different size along three axes. Now an astronomer has tried to explain why this is so. He has hypothesised that Mars is missing a moon it once likely had.

Michael Efroimsky talks about the theory in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server.

Mars also hosts some impressive geographical features, such as the tallest mountains in the solar system and the biggest canyon. The Tharsis bulge, situated near the planet's equator, is another thing that has stumped scientists. It is a unique highland that bulges oddly out of the surface. The Tharsis bulge is approximately 5,000 kilometres across, but its origin is not known.

Efroimsky, in his paper, suggests that all of these strange features Mars has are most likely because of a long lost moon. He has named this moon Nerio.

Nerio he says must have exerted an enormous pull on the red planet's surface. This is considering even if it was a third the size of our moon. Since during the early days the surface was still soft, Nerio probably pulled up material due to a synchronous orbit. Years later as it cooled down, the material that was pulled up also settled in the same place, creating a permanent bulge.

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The bulge created equatorial ellipticity, and so the planet has a triaxial shape. Efroimsky also blames the same occurrence for the birth of volcanoes on Mars, making it extremely prone to volcanic activity, and thus the development of highlands on the opposite side of the Tharsis bulge.

<h2>So, what happened to Nerio?</h2>

If the entire theory is true, then where is Nerio? Talking about what happened to Nerio, Efroimsky suggests that Mars's current two moons - Phobos and Deimos - &nbsp;might have been the remnants of the long-lost moon. He says it might have been hit and destroyed by another large body, leaving behind the two moons.&nbsp;

Another likely scenario might have been that it simply wandered away and left the solar system, mostly because of the pull of some other body.&nbsp;

Mars has some unique characteristics, and one of the most peculiar features is its odd shape. Unlike other planets in the solar system, it has a triaxial shape, which means it is of a different size along three axes.

Mars has some unique characteristics, and one of the most peculiar features is its odd shape. Unlike other planets in the solar system, it has a triaxial shape, which means it is of a different size along three axes. Now an astronomer has tried to explain why this is so. He has hypothesised that Mars is missing a moon it once likely had. Michael Efroimsky talks about the theory in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server. Mars also hosts some impressive geographical features, such as the tallest mountains in the solar system and the biggest canyon. The Tharsis bulge, situated near the planet's equator, is another thing that has stumped scientists. It is a unique highland that bulges oddly out of the surface. The Tharsis bulge is approximately 5,000 kilometres across, but its origin is not known. Efroimsky, in his paper, suggests that all of these strange features Mars has are most likely because of a long lost moon. He has named this moon Nerio. Nerio he says must have exerted an enormous pull on the red planet's surface. This is considering even if it was a third the size of our moon. Since during the early days the surface was still soft, Nerio probably pulled up material due to a synchronous orbit. Years later as it cooled down, the material that was pulled up also settled in the same place, creating a permanent bulge. Also Read: Cosmic giant 300 light-years away in Great Bear is 11 times more massive than Jupiter The bulge created equatorial ellipticity, and so the planet has a triaxial shape. Efroimsky also blames the same occurrence for the birth of volcanoes on Mars, making it extremely prone to volcanic activity, and thus the development of highlands on the opposite side of the Tharsis bulge. So, what happened to Nerio? If the entire theory is true, then where is Nerio? Talking about what happened to Nerio, Efroimsky suggests that Mars's current two moons - Phobos and Deimos - might have been the remnants of the long-lost moon. He says it might have been hit and destroyed by another large body, leaving behind the two moons. Another likely scenario might have been that it simply wandered away and left the solar system, mostly because of the pull of some other body.

Is Mars missing a moon? Astronomer says Nerio might have created a strange bulge

When spiders made an appearance on Mars, everyone was shocked. What were those black creepy things on the red planet? They weren't actually real spiders, but just another phenomenon that happens there. Satellite images show these tendrilled shapes on Martian soil, and look rather eerie.&nbsp;

These spiders, known as araneiforms, are made from dust and appear only in the southern polar region of Mars in the planet's spring.

Scientists haven't known much about their formation, including how they come about every Martian year. Now, they have created these spiders in the lab, and hope to learn more about the alien landscape of the red planet.&nbsp;

"The spiders are strange, beautiful geologic features in their own right," says planetary scientist Lauren Mc Keown of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "These experiments will help tune our models for how they form."

On Mars, the cold, frigid conditions freeze carbon dioxide into ice. While this is not a natural occurrence on Earth, it&nbsp;can be artificially made and is known as dry ice.

Mc Keown and her colleagues theorise that the Martian spiders might be a result of frozen carbon dioxide turning straight into a gas. Notably, carbon dioxide does not have a liquid form.

This explanation is known as the Kieffer model, named after geophysicist Hugh Kieffer. Scientists say that when it is cold on Mars, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere freezes on the ground. In springtime, the temperatures rise, and this carbon dioxide ice returns to its gaseous state.

This is possible to happen from the bottom of a deposit of ice, at which point the darker Mars dirt beneath begins absorbing the heat. The sublimated gas gets trapped under the slabs of ice above. Since the gas now has nowhere to go, pressure builds and the ice cracks in a small explosion.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mega-tsunami-triggered-by-falling-mountain-created-a-9-day-long-earthquake-758418">Mega tsunami triggered by falling mountain created a 9-day-long earthquake</a>

The carbon dioxide gas escapes through these cracks, along with darker, dusty material. After all the ice disappears, a dark, spider-like scar is all that is left behind.

<h2>Creating Mars spiders in a lab</h2>

The researchers recreated the phenomenon in the Dirty Under-vacuum Simulation Testbed for Icy Environments, or DUSTIE, which can replicate the temperature and atmospheric pressure of Mars.

They replicated the dirt on Mars by mixing certain minerals and cooled it in liquid nitrogen. They placed it in the chamber, which had been tuned to the pressure and temperature conditions of Martian winter.

Then they released carbon dioxide into the chamber and it froze onto the simulant. The chamber was then warmed up and following multiple efforts to achieve the right conditions in the chamber, the ice finally exploded.

When spiders made an appearance on Mars, everyone was shocked. What were those black creepy things on the red planet? They weren't actually real spiders, but just another phenomenon that happens there.

When spiders made an appearance on Mars, everyone was shocked. What were those black creepy things on the red planet? They weren't actually real spiders, but just another phenomenon that happens there. Satellite images show these tendrilled shapes on Martian soil, and look rather eerie. These spiders, known as araneiforms, are made from dust and appear only in the southern polar region of Mars in the planet's spring. Scientists haven't known much about their formation, including how they come about every Martian year. Now, they have created these spiders in the lab, and hope to learn more about the alien landscape of the red planet. "The spiders are strange, beautiful geologic features in their own right," says planetary scientist Lauren Mc Keown of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "These experiments will help tune our models for how they form." On Mars, the cold, frigid conditions freeze carbon dioxide into ice. While this is not a natural occurrence on Earth, it can be artificially made and is known as dry ice. Mc Keown and her colleagues theorise that the Martian spiders might be a result of frozen carbon dioxide turning straight into a gas. Notably, carbon dioxide does not have a liquid form. This explanation is known as the Kieffer model, named after geophysicist Hugh Kieffer. Scientists say that when it is cold on Mars, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere freezes on the ground. In springtime, the temperatures rise, and this carbon dioxide ice returns to its gaseous state. This is possible to happen from the bottom of a deposit of ice, at which point the darker Mars dirt beneath begins absorbing the heat. The sublimated gas gets trapped under the slabs of ice above. Since the gas now has nowhere to go, pressure builds and the ice cracks in a small explosion. Also Read: Mega tsunami triggered by falling mountain created a 9-day-long earthquake The carbon dioxide gas escapes through these cracks, along with darker, dusty material. After all the ice disappears, a dark, spider-like scar is all that is left behind. Creating Mars spiders in a lab The researchers recreated the phenomenon in the Dirty Under-vacuum Simulation Testbed for Icy Environments, or DUSTIE, which can replicate the temperature and atmospheric pressure of Mars. They replicated the dirt on Mars by mixing certain minerals and cooled it in liquid nitrogen. They placed it in the chamber, which had been tuned to the pressure and temperature conditions of Martian winter. Then they released carbon dioxide into the chamber and it froze onto the simulant. The chamber was then warmed up and following multiple efforts to achieve the right conditions in the chamber, the ice finally exploded.

NASA just recreated 'spiders' seen on Mars in a lab on Earth

Mars, Earth's nearest neighbour, has caught the imagination of scientists who have been keenly studying the red planet for signs of life and to know whether humans can one day live there. One such research has revealed the amazing cloud patterns that run on Mars.

Images of clouds on Mars have been captured by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) instrument in orbit on board the European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft since 2005.&nbsp;The collection spans more than 20 years.

The collection of cloud pictures, or "cloud atlas", shows the amazing atmospheric phenomena witnessed there. While some of them are similar to ones seen on Earth, others are unique.&nbsp;

The atlas has been made by Daniela Tirsch at the German Aerospace Center in Berlin and her colleagues who collected images of these clouds.

The dazzling array of clouds comes into existence when its thin atmosphere, made up of primarily carbon dioxide, condenses and mixes with dust and water vapour.&nbsp;

"Clouds on Mars are just as diverse and fascinating as those we see in our skies on Earth, with some features unique to the red planet," Tirsch said.

The ones that resemble those on Earth are the gravity wave clouds. The thin clouds are formed when features on the land below force parts of the atmosphere upwards which then interact with other columns of atmospheric gas.&nbsp;

The other types of clouds are cloud streets which spread out over larger regions. They look the same as gravity wave clouds but are caused by chaotic currents in Mars’s atmosphere. Speaking about the clouds, Tirsch said at the Europlanet Science Congress in Berlin, "They are enigmatic but beautiful."

"One of my favourite phenomena are the beautiful 'cloud streets'—linear rows of fleecy clouds that develop around the huge volcanic Tharsis rise and the northern lowlands in northern spring and summer. While they resemble cumulus clouds on Earth, they are formed under different atmospheric conditions," said Dr Tirsch.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/invisible-force-zoomed-through-solar-system-and-threw-off-objects-from-their-orbit-757694">Invisible force zoomed through solar system and threw off objects from their orbit</a>

The clouds not found on Earth are the dust clouds formed due to the planet's atmospheric conditions. These clouds are bright red, carry huge amounts of Martian dust and can extend for hundreds of kilometres.&nbsp;

"We also see impressive dust clouds that can spread hundreds of kilometres—a phenomenon we luckily don't experience on Earth."

<img alt="Orographic clouds near volcanoes (Photo: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/A. Cowart)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f58f34c9-8b58-4887-8729-9c08dc52f150" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mars%20clouds.png" />

(Photo:&nbsp;ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/A. Cowart)

Unique features of Mars give birth to orographic clouds. These are seen near volcanoes when large amounts of gas is forced upwards. Some of these clouds can also mix with dust or dust-filled storms and create clouds that look like eruptions.&nbsp;

The twilight clouds especially stunned the researchers. “We were astonished at the wealth of morphologies that twilight clouds could have,” said Tirsch.

They form near the horizon as the sun rises on Mars and take on different appearances.

Mars, Earth's nearest neighbour, has caught the imagination of scientists who have been keenly studying the red planet for signs of life and to know whether humans can one day live there.

Mars, Earth's nearest neighbour, has caught the imagination of scientists who have been keenly studying the red planet for signs of life and to know whether humans can one day live there. One such research has revealed the amazing cloud patterns that run on Mars. Images of clouds on Mars have been captured by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) instrument in orbit on board the European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft since 2005. The collection spans more than 20 years. The collection of cloud pictures, or "cloud atlas", shows the amazing atmospheric phenomena witnessed there. While some of them are similar to ones seen on Earth, others are unique. The atlas has been made by Daniela Tirsch at the German Aerospace Center in Berlin and her colleagues who collected images of these clouds. The dazzling array of clouds comes into existence when its thin atmosphere, made up of primarily carbon dioxide, condenses and mixes with dust and water vapour. "Clouds on Mars are just as diverse and fascinating as those we see in our skies on Earth, with some features unique to the red planet," Tirsch said. The ones that resemble those on Earth are the gravity wave clouds. The thin clouds are formed when features on the land below force parts of the atmosphere upwards which then interact with other columns of atmospheric gas. The other types of clouds are cloud streets which spread out over larger regions. They look the same as gravity wave clouds but are caused by chaotic currents in Mars’s atmosphere. Speaking about the clouds, Tirsch said at the Europlanet Science Congress in Berlin, "They are enigmatic but beautiful." "One of my favourite phenomena are the beautiful 'cloud streets'—linear rows of fleecy clouds that develop around the huge volcanic Tharsis rise and the northern lowlands in northern spring and summer. While they resemble cumulus clouds on Earth, they are formed under different atmospheric conditions," said Dr Tirsch. Also Read: Invisible force zoomed through solar system and threw off objects from their orbit The clouds not found on Earth are the dust clouds formed due to the planet's atmospheric conditions. These clouds are bright red, carry huge amounts of Martian dust and can extend for hundreds of kilometres. "We also see impressive dust clouds that can spread hundreds of kilometres—a phenomenon we luckily don't experience on Earth." (Photo: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/A. Cowart) Unique features of Mars give birth to orographic clouds. These are seen near volcanoes when large amounts of gas is forced upwards. Some of these clouds can also mix with dust or dust-filled storms and create clouds that look like eruptions. The twilight clouds especially stunned the researchers. “We were astonished at the wealth of morphologies that twilight clouds could have,” said Tirsch. They form near the horizon as the sun rises on Mars and take on different appearances.

Twilight clouds, dust clouds and more line the atmosphere of Mars

Elon Musk says he is ready to send his Starship rocket to Mars in the next two years. Sharing the news on X, Musk said that the uncrewed missions to Mars will happen in 2026 and will "test the reliability of landing intact" on the red planet.&nbsp;

Setting a highly ambitious timeline, Musk said that if all the tests go well, then Starship will carry people to Mars for the first time in four years.&nbsp;

Notably, SpaceX's Starship has faced quite a few bumps during its test launches. The largest and most powerful rocket ever built exploded during launch tests in the last couple of years.

The SpaceX CEO wrote on X, "The first Starships to Mars will launch in 2 years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens."

"These will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars. If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years," he added.

Notably, the Earth-Mars transfer window opens approximately every 26 months. At this time, the two planets are closest to each other.

Musk's plan to conquer Mars includes manufacturing multiple Starships, and creating a fleet comprising hundreds of them to ferry a million people to the red planet.

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The first Starships to Mars will launch in 2 years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens. 
 
These will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars. If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years. 
 
Flight rate will… <a href="https://t.co/ZuiM00dpe9">https://t.co/ZuiM00dpe9</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1832550322293837833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"Flight rate will grow exponentially from there, with the goal of building a self-sustaining city in about 20 years," Musk said.&nbsp;

The billionaire added that reaching Mars and settling there would mean that humans would become a "multiplanetary" species, meaning we would be living on two planets.&nbsp;

"Being multiplanetary will vastly increase the probable lifespan of consciousness, as we will no longer have all our eggs, literally and metabolically, on one planet," he wrote.&nbsp;

Musk went on to add in another tweet that crewed flights to the red planet will only happen once initial landings of 2026 "are proven to be reliable".&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/musk-denies-he-is-open-to-giving-his-sperm-to-seed-a-colony-on-mars-denies-plans-of-a-martian-city-740249">Musk rubbishes reports of planning a Mars colony or seeding it with his own sperm</a>

He added, "Four&nbsp;years is best case for humans, might be 6, hopefully not 8."

The stainless-steel spacecraft consists of two elements: a first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 165-foot-tall (50 metres) upper-stage spacecraft known as Starship. When stacked on top of another,&nbsp;Starship stands at about 400 feet (122 metres) tall.

<h2>Musk's earlier statement on Mars mission</h2>

Earlier this year, Musk had said that Starship will ferry massive payloads to orbit necessary to carry out large-scale Mars missions. "We need enough people and enough tonnage on Mars such that Mars can survive and continue consciousness even if something were to happen to Earth," he said.

Reports suggest that Musk plans on having one million people on Mars within 20 years. In May, he said that it would take less than 10 years to send humans to Mars. However, NASA says that the first humans might not land on the planet before the 2040s.&nbsp;

Elon Musk says he is ready to send his Starship rocket to Mars in the next two years. Sharing the news on X, Musk said that the uncrewed missions to Mars will happen in 2026 and will "test the reliability of landing intact" on the red planet.

Elon Musk says he is ready to send his Starship rocket to Mars in the next two years. Sharing the news on X, Musk said that the uncrewed missions to Mars will happen in 2026 and will "test the reliability of landing intact" on the red planet. Setting a highly ambitious timeline, Musk said that if all the tests go well, then Starship will carry people to Mars for the first time in four years. Notably, SpaceX's Starship has faced quite a few bumps during its test launches. The largest and most powerful rocket ever built exploded during launch tests in the last couple of years. The SpaceX CEO wrote on X, "The first Starships to Mars will launch in 2 years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens." "These will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars. If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years," he added. Notably, the Earth-Mars transfer window opens approximately every 26 months. At this time, the two planets are closest to each other. Musk's plan to conquer Mars includes manufacturing multiple Starships, and creating a fleet comprising hundreds of them to ferry a million people to the red planet. The first Starships to Mars will launch in 2 years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens. These will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars. If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years. Flight rate will… https://t.co/ZuiM00dpe9 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2024 × "Flight rate will grow exponentially from there, with the goal of building a self-sustaining city in about 20 years," Musk said. The billionaire added that reaching Mars and settling there would mean that humans would become a "multiplanetary" species, meaning we would be living on two planets. "Being multiplanetary will vastly increase the probable lifespan of consciousness, as we will no longer have all our eggs, literally and metabolically, on one planet," he wrote. Musk went on to add in another tweet that crewed flights to the red planet will only happen once initial landings of 2026 "are proven to be reliable". Also Read: Musk rubbishes reports of planning a Mars colony or seeding it with his own sperm He added, "Four years is best case for humans, might be 6, hopefully not 8." The stainless-steel spacecraft consists of two elements: a first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 165-foot-tall (50 metres) upper-stage spacecraft known as Starship. When stacked on top of another, Starship stands at about 400 feet (122 metres) tall. Musk's earlier statement on Mars mission Earlier this year, Musk had said that Starship will ferry massive payloads to orbit necessary to carry out large-scale Mars missions. "We need enough people and enough tonnage on Mars such that Mars can survive and continue consciousness even if something were to happen to Earth," he said. Reports suggest that Musk plans on having one million people on Mars within 20 years. In May, he said that it would take less than 10 years to send humans to Mars. However, NASA says that the first humans might not land on the planet before the 2040s.

Elon Musk plans to build fleet of Starships to take humans to Mars

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned.&nbsp;

According to the scientists, this salt deposit may have concealed the remnants of the last surviving life forms on Mars.

Mars had vast lakes and rivers billions of years ago, which disappeared during a catastrophic global freeze.&nbsp;

The researchers have proposed that this emoticon-shaped salt deposit may be harbouring hardy microbes.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-once-had-water-but-now-its-barren-heres-what-led-to-its-mysterious-disappearance-756902">Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance</a>

The image has been captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter of the European Space Agency.

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a Martian satellite which has been hunting signs of life on Mars and has taken stunning images of the chloride salt deposits on the arid surface of Mars.

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Scientists by studying these salt deposits can find clues regarding the past climate, geology, and potential habitability of the planet.

''Why so serious? Once a world of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, Mars now reveals its secrets through chloride salt deposits found by our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. These deposits, remnants of ancient water bodies, could indicate habitable zones from billions of years ago. The discovery of nearly a thousand potential sites offers new insights into Mars' climate and potential for past life. Explore the Martian landscape in this carousel,'' read the post shared by ESA.

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

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Explaining the salt deposits on Mars, planetary scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland Valentin Bickel said, ''A cold era began when Mars lost its magnetic field and could no longer hold its atmosphere, leading to water evaporating, freezing, or becoming trapped within the surface. As the water disappeared over time, it left mineral fingerprints on the surface. Very salty waters could have become a haven for life, a beacon for habitable places on Mars. High concentrations of salt allow water to remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius."

<h2>Here's how people reacted to the post</h2>

Reacting to the European Space Agency's post, one user said, ''That's so beautiful.'' "Why so cheesy," commented another.

''With this face shape, we have to wait for ridiculous theories,'' wrote a user.&nbsp;

''It would be great if there were some scale references to get the size of these craters," another commented.

“The first one reminds me of Jack Skeleton,” said an Instagram user.&nbsp;

“Well, well, it looks familiar to me," wrote another. “Way too serious," said a user.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned.

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured the intriguing but spooky 'smiley face'-shaped salt deposit on Mars, which has left the netizens stunned. According to the scientists, this salt deposit may have concealed the remnants of the last surviving life forms on Mars. Mars had vast lakes and rivers billions of years ago, which disappeared during a catastrophic global freeze. The researchers have proposed that this emoticon-shaped salt deposit may be harbouring hardy microbes. Also Read: Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance The image has been captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter of the European Space Agency. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a Martian satellite which has been hunting signs of life on Mars and has taken stunning images of the chloride salt deposits on the arid surface of Mars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESA - European Space Agency (@europeanspaceagency) × Scientists by studying these salt deposits can find clues regarding the past climate, geology, and potential habitability of the planet. ''Why so serious? Once a world of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, Mars now reveals its secrets through chloride salt deposits found by our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. These deposits, remnants of ancient water bodies, could indicate habitable zones from billions of years ago. The discovery of nearly a thousand potential sites offers new insights into Mars' climate and potential for past life. Explore the Martian landscape in this carousel,'' read the post shared by ESA. Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years Explaining the salt deposits on Mars, planetary scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland Valentin Bickel said, ''A cold era began when Mars lost its magnetic field and could no longer hold its atmosphere, leading to water evaporating, freezing, or becoming trapped within the surface. As the water disappeared over time, it left mineral fingerprints on the surface. Very salty waters could have become a haven for life, a beacon for habitable places on Mars. High concentrations of salt allow water to remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius." Here's how people reacted to the post Reacting to the European Space Agency's post, one user said, ''That's so beautiful.'' "Why so cheesy," commented another. ''With this face shape, we have to wait for ridiculous theories,'' wrote a user. ''It would be great if there were some scale references to get the size of these craters," another commented. “The first one reminds me of Jack Skeleton,” said an Instagram user. “Well, well, it looks familiar to me," wrote another. “Way too serious," said a user. (With inputs from agencies)

A 'spooky smiley face' appears on Mars. Scientists say it's hiding life forms...

In a joint study between NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope, it was observed that Mars may have lost its water because of the seasonal changes on the planet.

More than three billion years ago, the Red Planet was warm and wet and had large water bodies on its surface along with a thicker atmosphere. However, today Mars is barren, dry and cold. So, where exactly did the water disappear?

<h2>Mysterious disappearance of Martian water</h2>

"There's only two places water can go," said John Clarke of the University of Boston, in a&nbsp;statement. "It can freeze into the ground, or the water molecules can break into atoms, and the atoms can escape from the top of the atmosphere into space," he added.

There is still plenty of water on Mars. It has been observed that vast reservoirs of water are locked deep underground at depths between 11.5 and 20 kilometres (7.1 and 12.4 miles).

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/elon-musk-says-spacex-to-launch-first-uncrewed-starships-to-mars-in-two-years-756866">Elon Musk says SpaceX to launch first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years</a>

The surface of Mars has sufficient water inside it which is the global equivalent layer (GEL) - refers to how deep a planet-wide ocean it can create.

Meanwhile, water-ice in small amounts is also locked inside the shallow permafrost and in the polar ice caps of Mars.

According to John Clarke and his team in the&nbsp;Center for Space Physics&nbsp;at Boston University, it is important to understand the fate of water on Mars for which it is important to track the escapee atoms.

Watch:&nbsp;China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

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Scientists, by measuring the number of hydrogen atoms going into space and the current escape rate, can trace water's history on the planet.

In the atmosphere of Mars, the sunlight is suspected to have dismantled the water molecules and divided them into two types of atoms - which are hydrogen and deuterium or “heavy hydrogen.”

Mars does not have a magnetic field, unlike Earth, because of which the solar wind directly interacts with the atmosphere.

Because of these interactions, light gases like hydrogen, get stripped from the atmosphere.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a joint study between NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the Hubble Space Telescope, it was observed that Mars may have lost its water because of the seasonal changes on the planet.

In a joint study between NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the Hubble Space Telescope, it was observed that Mars may have lost its water because of the seasonal changes on the planet. More than three billion years ago, the Red Planet was warm and wet and had large water bodies on its surface along with a thicker atmosphere. However, today Mars is barren, dry and cold. So, where exactly did the water disappear? Mysterious disappearance of Martian water "There's only two places water can go," said John Clarke of the University of Boston, in a statement. "It can freeze into the ground, or the water molecules can break into atoms, and the atoms can escape from the top of the atmosphere into space," he added. There is still plenty of water on Mars. It has been observed that vast reservoirs of water are locked deep underground at depths between 11.5 and 20 kilometres (7.1 and 12.4 miles). Also Read: Elon Musk says SpaceX to launch first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years The surface of Mars has sufficient water inside it which is the global equivalent layer (GEL) - refers to how deep a planet-wide ocean it can create. Meanwhile, water-ice in small amounts is also locked inside the shallow permafrost and in the polar ice caps of Mars. According to John Clarke and his team in the Center for Space Physics at Boston University, it is important to understand the fate of water on Mars for which it is important to track the escapee atoms. Watch: China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years Scientists, by measuring the number of hydrogen atoms going into space and the current escape rate, can trace water's history on the planet. In the atmosphere of Mars, the sunlight is suspected to have dismantled the water molecules and divided them into two types of atoms - which are hydrogen and deuterium or “heavy hydrogen.” Mars does not have a magnetic field, unlike Earth, because of which the solar wind directly interacts with the atmosphere. Because of these interactions, light gases like hydrogen, get stripped from the atmosphere. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars once had water but now it's barren. Here's what led to its mysterious disappearance

China is on track to launch its Tianwen-3 mission to Mars in 2028, two years earlier than previously planned, while the US’ sample mission to the planet is in limbo amid major delays and ballooning budgets.

China advances deadline for launch of Mars mission by two years

China is moving ahead with sending a mission to Mars two years earlier than its initial plans. It announced that it is ready to launch Tianwen-3 mission to Mars in 2028. Liu Jizhong, chief designer of China’s Mars mission, said on Thursday that the team is also on track to bring back samples from the red planet.&nbsp;

The announcement was made at the Second International Conference on Deep Space Exploration in Huangshan, Anhui province. Liu stated that they would bring back around 600 grams of Martian soil. Moving the mission up by two years indicates that China is confident of successfully launching the Mars mission. Earlier, it was to send the spacecraft by 2030, but now it will fly away in 2028.&nbsp;

Since the mission will now launch in 2028 instead of 2030, its return with the samples is also likely to move ahead to 2031. This is as per what Tianwen-1 mission lead Sun Zezhou said at the Nanjing University in 2022.

Experts say that if China successfully carries out the exercise, it will become the leader in space exploration. Liu added that searching for signs of life would be the mission's top scientific goal.&nbsp;

Explaining how the mission will work, Liu told the attendees that two Long March 5 rockets would be used to send Tianwen-3 lander-ascender combination and the orbiter-return module combination to Mars.

The technologies being used for the Mars mission include those that were previously a part of the Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 moon sample return missions and the Tianwen-1 Mars landing mission, he said.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/another-kuiper-belt-mystery-zone-spotted-at-the-edge-of-our-solar-system-756401">Another Kuiper Belt? Mystery zone spotted at the edge of our solar system</a>

Liu also told state news agency Xinhua about the methods that will be implemented to collect the samples once the spacecraft lands on Mars. These would include multi-point surface scooping, fixed-point deep drilling and rover-based sampling,&nbsp;

<h2>What's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission</h2>

The US is still struggling with its plans to send its sample mission to Mars. It has been in jeopardy ever since it was revealed that the return mission would cost up to $11 billion. The timeline was also stretched until 2040. The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission was supposed to collect samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover.

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&nbsp;

The space agency has reached out to seven aerospace companies and asked them to come up with ideas to speed up the mission, as well as reduce its costs. NASA wants to bring back the samples in the 2030s.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, India has also announced plans to reach Mars and plans to land a rover and a helicopter. As part of Mangalyaan-2, a supersonic parachute and a sky crane will lower the rover onto the Martian surface.

China is moving ahead with sending a mission to Mars two years earlier than its initial plans. It announced that it is ready to launch Tianwen-3 mission to Mars in 2028.

China is moving ahead with sending a mission to Mars two years earlier than its initial plans. It announced that it is ready to launch Tianwen-3 mission to Mars in 2028. Liu Jizhong, chief designer of China’s Mars mission, said on Thursday that the team is also on track to bring back samples from the red planet. The announcement was made at the Second International Conference on Deep Space Exploration in Huangshan, Anhui province. Liu stated that they would bring back around 600 grams of Martian soil. Moving the mission up by two years indicates that China is confident of successfully launching the Mars mission. Earlier, it was to send the spacecraft by 2030, but now it will fly away in 2028. Since the mission will now launch in 2028 instead of 2030, its return with the samples is also likely to move ahead to 2031. This is as per what Tianwen-1 mission lead Sun Zezhou said at the Nanjing University in 2022. Experts say that if China successfully carries out the exercise, it will become the leader in space exploration. Liu added that searching for signs of life would be the mission's top scientific goal. Explaining how the mission will work, Liu told the attendees that two Long March 5 rockets would be used to send Tianwen-3 lander-ascender combination and the orbiter-return module combination to Mars. The technologies being used for the Mars mission include those that were previously a part of the Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 moon sample return missions and the Tianwen-1 Mars landing mission, he said. Also Read: Another Kuiper Belt? Mystery zone spotted at the edge of our solar system Liu also told state news agency Xinhua about the methods that will be implemented to collect the samples once the spacecraft lands on Mars. These would include multi-point surface scooping, fixed-point deep drilling and rover-based sampling, What's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission The US is still struggling with its plans to send its sample mission to Mars. It has been in jeopardy ever since it was revealed that the return mission would cost up to $11 billion. The timeline was also stretched until 2040. The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission was supposed to collect samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover. × The space agency has reached out to seven aerospace companies and asked them to come up with ideas to speed up the mission, as well as reduce its costs. NASA wants to bring back the samples in the 2030s. Meanwhile, India has also announced plans to reach Mars and plans to land a rover and a helicopter. As part of Mangalyaan-2, a supersonic parachute and a sky crane will lower the rover onto the Martian surface.

China Mars Mission ready for 2028 launch, will bring back 600 grams of Martian soil

Meteorites entering Earth is a known occurrence. While some of them come from deep space, others originate&nbsp;near our home planet. Scientists have found that Mars has been the origin point of several of those meteors that hit our planet. Severe impact events on the red planet release debris which gets flung into space, with some of them reaching us as well.&nbsp;

At least 10 such meteorite-forming events have happened in the recent past. The debris breaks free of Mars' gravitational pull and enters the orbit around the sun, and some of them eventually fall to Earth.&nbsp;

“Now, we can group these meteorites by their shared history and then their location on the surface prior to coming to Earth,” Chris Herd, a study co-author, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, and curator of UA’s Meteorite Collection said.

Hundreds of such rocks have been discovered in the last few years. Scientists now claim that around 200 of those meteorites came from five specific impact craters on the Red Planet. Researchers from the University of Alberta have traced their origin to Tharsis and Elysium, the two volcanic regions on our neighbouring planet.

An estimated 48.5 tonnes of meteorite material enters Earth each day, according to NASA. But it is not always possible to study them since they are mere specks of dust by the time they hit the surface.

<h2>Meteorites from Mars</h2>

In the 1980s, scientists discovered a group of meteorites that likely had volcanic origins with ages of 1.3 billion years.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-in-danger-of-being-hit-by-asteroid-dimorphos-debris-within-10-years-752623">Earth in danger of being hit by asteroid Dimorphos debris. Impact might happen in...</a>

A celestial body with volcanic activity had to be its origin point, and Mars fit the bill. This was confirmed when NASA's Viking landers compared the composition of Mars' atmosphere with trapped gases found in these rocks.&nbsp;

However, the study noted that it wasn't possible to trace the origins earlier because a technique called spectral matching was being used. The technique is used to identify and compare the composition of materials by analyzing the patterns of light they absorb or emit. However, factors like terrain variability and extensive dust cover inhibit work using this technique.&nbsp;

Herd says that this “major advance” can help revise previous, limited calculations.&nbsp;

"I call that the missing link — to be able to say, for example, the conditions under which this meteorite was ejected were met by an impact event that produced craters between 10 and 30 kilometres across," he said.&nbsp;

The latest finding can help scientists understand more about the planet's geological past.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Meteorites entering Earth is a known occurrence. While some of them come from deep space, others originate near our home planet. Scientists have found that Mars has been the origin point of several of those meteors that hit our planet.

Meteorites entering Earth is a known occurrence. While some of them come from deep space, others originate near our home planet. Scientists have found that Mars has been the origin point of several of those meteors that hit our planet. Severe impact events on the red planet release debris which gets flung into space, with some of them reaching us as well. At least 10 such meteorite-forming events have happened in the recent past. The debris breaks free of Mars' gravitational pull and enters the orbit around the sun, and some of them eventually fall to Earth. “Now, we can group these meteorites by their shared history and then their location on the surface prior to coming to Earth,” Chris Herd, a study co-author, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, and curator of UA’s Meteorite Collection said. Hundreds of such rocks have been discovered in the last few years. Scientists now claim that around 200 of those meteorites came from five specific impact craters on the Red Planet. Researchers from the University of Alberta have traced their origin to Tharsis and Elysium, the two volcanic regions on our neighbouring planet. An estimated 48.5 tonnes of meteorite material enters Earth each day, according to NASA. But it is not always possible to study them since they are mere specks of dust by the time they hit the surface. Meteorites from Mars In the 1980s, scientists discovered a group of meteorites that likely had volcanic origins with ages of 1.3 billion years. Also Read: Earth in danger of being hit by asteroid Dimorphos debris. Impact might happen in... A celestial body with volcanic activity had to be its origin point, and Mars fit the bill. This was confirmed when NASA's Viking landers compared the composition of Mars' atmosphere with trapped gases found in these rocks. However, the study noted that it wasn't possible to trace the origins earlier because a technique called spectral matching was being used. The technique is used to identify and compare the composition of materials by analyzing the patterns of light they absorb or emit. However, factors like terrain variability and extensive dust cover inhibit work using this technique. Herd says that this “major advance” can help revise previous, limited calculations. "I call that the missing link — to be able to say, for example, the conditions under which this meteorite was ejected were met by an impact event that produced craters between 10 and 30 kilometres across," he said. The latest finding can help scientists understand more about the planet's geological past.

Hundreds of meteorites originating from only 5 craters on Mars hit Earth

#Gravitas | Researchers are suggesting that Mars, which lost its atmosphere billions of years ago, might still harbour significant quantities of water trapped beneath its surface. The amount of water could potentially fill an ocean 1-2 kilometers deep. On Earth, where there's liquid water, there's life—even deep underground. Could the same hold true for Mars?

Is there life on mars? Scientists find 'oceans' of water miles beneath surface

M&amp;M's and Snickers maker Mars said Wednesday that it would acquire snack food business Kellanova, marking a multibillion dollar agreement set to result in a new industry giant.

The all-cash transaction would value Kellanova -- which is behind snacks such as Pringles and Pop-Tarts -- at $35.9 billion, including debt.

"In welcoming Kellanova's portfolio of growing global brands, we have a substantial opportunity for Mars to further develop a sustainable snacking business that is fit for the future," said Mars chief executive Poul Weihrauch in a statement.

Also watch |&nbsp;Aid ship carrying food supplies from World Central Kitchen charity reaches Gaza coast

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The announcement comes at a time when consumers feel the squeeze from rising costs of living, putting pressure on companies to rein in their price hikes.

The move could, however, attract scrutiny from US regulators who have taken a tough stance on consolidations.

The acquisition for $83.50 per share in cash "accelerates ambition to double Mars Snacking in the next decade, in alignment with global consumer demand trends," Mars said.

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This would bring two new billion-dollar brands, Pringles and Cheez-It, into its business.

Already, the company said it has 15 billion-dollar brands.

"Snacking is a large, attractive and durable category that continues to grow in importance with consumers," Mars added.

Kellanova had net sales in 2023 of around $13 billion, and it is present in 180 markets with some 23,000 employees.

Shares of Kellanova were up by 7.3 per cent in US pre-market trading.

The Mars statement added that most of Kellanova's snack brands outperform competitors, especially among Gen Z and millennial buyers.

The combined portfolio would also be suited to meet demand in fast-growing markets such as Africa and Latin America, given their supply chains and local operations, the company said.

The plan, according to Mars, is to grow Kellanova's brands further.

The deal, which is anticipated to close in the first half of 2025, will need the green light from Kellanova shareholders and also require regulatory approvals.

Mars plans to fully finance the acquisition via a combination of cash-on-hand and new debt, it said, adding that commitments have been secured.

Family-owned business Mars said it employs about 150,000 workers and has over $50 billion in annual sales.

Besides snacking and food products, the company is also involved in the pet care sector.

In 2022, Mars said it reached a deal to buy whole-fruit snacking brand Tru Fru. And two years before that, it announced its acquisition of Kind North America -- which specialises in healthier snacks.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

M&M's and Snickers maker Mars said Wednesday that it would acquire snack food business Kellanova, marking a multibillion dollar agreement set to result in a new industry giant.

M&M's and Snickers maker Mars said Wednesday that it would acquire snack food business Kellanova, marking a multibillion dollar agreement set to result in a new industry giant. The all-cash transaction would value Kellanova -- which is behind snacks such as Pringles and Pop-Tarts -- at $35.9 billion, including debt. "In welcoming Kellanova's portfolio of growing global brands, we have a substantial opportunity for Mars to further develop a sustainable snacking business that is fit for the future," said Mars chief executive Poul Weihrauch in a statement. Also watch | Aid ship carrying food supplies from World Central Kitchen charity reaches Gaza coast × The announcement comes at a time when consumers feel the squeeze from rising costs of living, putting pressure on companies to rein in their price hikes. The move could, however, attract scrutiny from US regulators who have taken a tough stance on consolidations. The acquisition for $83.50 per share in cash "accelerates ambition to double Mars Snacking in the next decade, in alignment with global consumer demand trends," Mars said. Also read | Keto-friendly artificial sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke This would bring two new billion-dollar brands, Pringles and Cheez-It, into its business. Already, the company said it has 15 billion-dollar brands. "Snacking is a large, attractive and durable category that continues to grow in importance with consumers," Mars added. Kellanova had net sales in 2023 of around $13 billion, and it is present in 180 markets with some 23,000 employees. Shares of Kellanova were up by 7.3 per cent in US pre-market trading. The Mars statement added that most of Kellanova's snack brands outperform competitors, especially among Gen Z and millennial buyers. The combined portfolio would also be suited to meet demand in fast-growing markets such as Africa and Latin America, given their supply chains and local operations, the company said. The plan, according to Mars, is to grow Kellanova's brands further. The deal, which is anticipated to close in the first half of 2025, will need the green light from Kellanova shareholders and also require regulatory approvals. Mars plans to fully finance the acquisition via a combination of cash-on-hand and new debt, it said, adding that commitments have been secured. Family-owned business Mars said it employs about 150,000 workers and has over $50 billion in annual sales. Besides snacking and food products, the company is also involved in the pet care sector. In 2022, Mars said it reached a deal to buy whole-fruit snacking brand Tru Fru. And two years before that, it announced its acquisition of Kind North America -- which specialises in healthier snacks. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Mars to acquire Pringles maker Kellanova for nearly $36 billion

A study released on August 12 suggests that there may be a vast reservoir of liquid water below the surface of Mars, based on data from NASA's Mars InSight lander. Researcher are suggesting that Mars, which lost its atmosphere billions of years ago, might still harbour significant quantities of water trapped beneath its surface. The amount of water could potentially fill an ocean 1-2 kilometers deep. On Earth, where there's liquid water, there's life—even deep underground. Could the same hold true for Mars?

Scientists discover reservoir of liquid water on Mars | Is there life on Mars?

The Red Planet, long perceived as a barren, desolate world, has unveiled a surprising secret. Scientists have unearthed compelling evidence suggesting that the Martian crust harbours enough water to potentially fill entire oceans.

Mars hides a secret: A vast underground water reservoir

A study released Monday using data from NASA's Mars InSight lander shows evidence of liquid water far below the surface of the fourth planet, advancing the search for life there and showing what might have happened to Mars' ancient oceans.

NASA finds oceans of water on Mars, deep in Martian crust

A massive reservoir of liquid water, equal to an ocean, has been found hiding under Mars, a recent study claims. The water deposit found fractured within igneous rocks, is so huge that it is enough to fill an ocean that can cover the entire Earth’s planetary neighbour, concluded scientists who observed the recent seismic data of Mars.

The claims were made based on data received from NASA’s robotic InSight Lander during a mission to help decipher the interior of Mars. This is good news, as it provides hope of probable life on the red planet. However, there is one problem.

The water discovered on Mars is located about 7.2 to 12.4 miles (11.5 to 20 km) below the Martian surface, which is at depths that are too far below the surface for us to access. Life can sustain at such depths, as researchers point out that conditions beneath are favourable for microbial life, but reaching there would be a herculean task, almost impossible some may say.

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"At these depths, the crust is warm enough for water to exist as a liquid. At more shallow depths, the water would be frozen as ice," said planetary scientist Vashan Wright of the University of California, San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, lead author of the study.

The study was published on Monday (Aug 12) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

On our planet Earth, we are able to find microbial life deep underground where rocks are saturated with water, explains co-author Michael Manga of the University of California, Berkeley.

<h2>How huge ocean of water was found on Mars?</h2>

India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, which was launched in 2019, first gave the location of abundance of lunar water. Recent data by InSight indicated the presence of this reservoir of liquid water within igneous rocks,&nbsp;formed in the cooling and solidification of magma or lava in the Martian crust.

The InSight lander touched down in 2018 to study the deep interior of Mars, gathering data on the planet's various layers, from its liquid metal core to its mantle and its crust. The InSight mission ended in 2022.

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"The water exists within fractures. If the InSight location is representative and you extract all the water from the fractures in the mid-crust, we estimate that the water would fill a 1-2 km deep (0.6-1.2 miles) ocean on Mars globally," Wright said.

<h2>Challenges ahead</h2>

Water would be a vital resource if humankind ever is to place astronauts on the Martian surface or establish some sort of long-term settlement. We knew earlier that Mars harbours water in the form of ice in its polar regions and in its subsurface, but the discovery of water in underground water is huge. And the challenge is huge too.&nbsp;

"Drilling to these depths is very challenging. Looking for places where geological activity expels this water, possibly the tectonically active Cerberus Fossae (a region in the northern hemisphere of Mars), is an alternative to looking for deep liquids," Manga said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A massive reservoir of liquid water, equal to an ocean, has been found hiding under Mars, a recent study claims. The water deposit found fractured within igneous rocks, is so huge that it is enough to fill an ocean that can cover the entire Earth’s planetary neighbour, concluded scientists who observed the recent seismic data of Mars.

A massive reservoir of liquid water, equal to an ocean, has been found hiding under Mars, a recent study claims. The water deposit found fractured within igneous rocks, is so huge that it is enough to fill an ocean that can cover the entire Earth’s planetary neighbour, concluded scientists who observed the recent seismic data of Mars. The claims were made based on data received from NASA’s robotic InSight Lander during a mission to help decipher the interior of Mars. This is good news, as it provides hope of probable life on the red planet. However, there is one problem. The water discovered on Mars is located about 7.2 to 12.4 miles (11.5 to 20 km) below the Martian surface, which is at depths that are too far below the surface for us to access. Life can sustain at such depths, as researchers point out that conditions beneath are favourable for microbial life, but reaching there would be a herculean task, almost impossible some may say. Also Read | NASA warns 100-foot asteroid is racing towards Earth, will be closest on... "At these depths, the crust is warm enough for water to exist as a liquid. At more shallow depths, the water would be frozen as ice," said planetary scientist Vashan Wright of the University of California, San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, lead author of the study. The study was published on Monday (Aug 12) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. On our planet Earth, we are able to find microbial life deep underground where rocks are saturated with water, explains co-author Michael Manga of the University of California, Berkeley. How huge ocean of water was found on Mars? India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, which was launched in 2019, first gave the location of abundance of lunar water. Recent data by InSight indicated the presence of this reservoir of liquid water within igneous rocks, formed in the cooling and solidification of magma or lava in the Martian crust. The InSight lander touched down in 2018 to study the deep interior of Mars, gathering data on the planet's various layers, from its liquid metal core to its mantle and its crust. The InSight mission ended in 2022. Also Read | ESA spots salty, purple wave lures, like a 'mermaid', on Mars "The water exists within fractures. If the InSight location is representative and you extract all the water from the fractures in the mid-crust, we estimate that the water would fill a 1-2 km deep (0.6-1.2 miles) ocean on Mars globally," Wright said. Challenges ahead Water would be a vital resource if humankind ever is to place astronauts on the Martian surface or establish some sort of long-term settlement. We knew earlier that Mars harbours water in the form of ice in its polar regions and in its subsurface, but the discovery of water in underground water is huge. And the challenge is huge too. "Drilling to these depths is very challenging. Looking for places where geological activity expels this water, possibly the tectonically active Cerberus Fossae (a region in the northern hemisphere of Mars), is an alternative to looking for deep liquids," Manga said. (With inputs from agencies)

Big! Underground water reservoir, the size of an ocean found on Mars, but there's a problem...

Humans have been making plans to make Mars their home someday and billionaire Elon Musk has already expressed his wish to colonise Mars by 2050. Taking ahead this idea, a team of scientists have now proposed an 'innovative' way to increase the temperature of the Red Planet by more than 18 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few months, which they think will be enough to sustain human life.

Humans have been making plans to make Mars their home someday and billionaire Elon Musk has already expressed his wish to colonise Mars by 2050. Taking ahead this idea, a team of scientists have now proposed an 'innovative' way to increase the temperature of the Red Planet by more than 18 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few months, which they think will be enough to sustain human life. According to the scientists, Martian dust would be injected into the atmosphere of the planet in large quantities to improve its ability to trap heat, like carbon dioxide and water vapour are captured on Earth. The scientists will shoot nearly 10 litres of dust, filled with iron and aluminium, every second for nearly a decade to change its temperature from -85F to 86F. Musk had earlier said that he was planning to use the natural resources on Mars for "terraforming" its atmosphere and turn it into a wetter and warmer planet. "It’s not that often you get some really quite new, innovative idea for terraforming," said Colin McInnes, who is a space engineer at the University of Glasgow, while speaking to Science Magazine. Also Read: Mars and Jupiter to get closest in this spectacular astronomical event of decade "The gap between where Mars is and where Mars could be for habitability is narrower than we might think," he added. The approach of the researchers is based on the atmospheric mechanism that has been driving climate change on Earth. Here's how the experiment can be carried out in the atmosphere of Mars Currently, the atmosphere of Mars is so thin that heat from the sun escapes easily from the surface of the planet. The Martian dust's microscopic size and spherical shape means that it is not good at reflecting heat back to the surface or absorbing radiation. However, the research team thinks that they can use iron and aluminium in the dust for engineering nine-micrometre-long rods. This is around twice the size of a Martian dust particle, however, it is smaller in comparison to a speck of glitter. Watch: Discover the impact of AI on the scientific operations of NASA's Mars Rover After the researchers tested how their particles continue to absorb heat radiation and reflect it towards the surface of the planet, they found "unexpectedly huge effects," said Samaneh Ansari, the study's lead author, while speaking to Science Magazine. This experiment requires nearly two million tonnes of particles every year, however, manufacturing them will be relatively easy since the ingredients are on Mars. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans are now planning to increase the temperature of Mars. Will it become habitable?

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