NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover has made the most surprising revelation that methane is seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Since scientists did not find any signs of current or ancient life on Mars, they did not expect the gas to be present there, as living creatures produce most methane.

NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover has made the most surprising revelation that methane is seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Since scientists did not find any signs of current or ancient life on Mars, they did not expect the gas to be present there, as living creatures produce most methane. While SAM (Sample Analysis Mars) or the portable laboratory on Curiosity has detected traces of the gas near the surface of the Gale Crater, the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter found no methane in the atmosphere of the Red Planet. Furthermore, Gale Crater is the only place on Mars where traces of methane have been found, likely due to geological mechanisms involving water and rocks deep underground. Methane also exhibits unexpected behaviour in Gale Crater by appearing at night and disappearing during the day, fluctuating seasonally, and sometimes spiking 40 times higher than usual. In March, a NASA research group proposed a paper in the journal Geophysical Research: Planets, explaining why the gas behaves unexpectedly and is present in the Gale Crater. ALSO READ | Debris from rare 'super' explosion on Sun with four solar flares erupting simultaneously likely to hit Earth The "soil" on Mars comprises broken rock and dust. The study suggests that the solidified salt formed in the Martian regolith could seal methane underneath despite its origin. The methane could seep out as the temperature rises during warmer seasons or times of day, weakening the seal. Alexander Pavlov, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, led the research, which suggests that the gas could also erupt in whiffs when the seals crack under the pressure of a small SUV-sized rover. The origin of this hypothesis goes back to an experiment Pavlov conducted in 2017, which involved growing microorganisms in a simulated Martian permafrost infused with salt. While the microbe-growing results proved inconclusive, the researchers noticed that the top layer of the soil formed a salt crust as salty ice sublimated, turning from a solid to a gas and leaving the salt behind. The research team tested five samples of permafrost infused with varying concentrations of the salt perchlorate, widely present on Mars. They exposed each sample to different temperatures and air pressure inside a Mars simulation chamber. Periodically, they injected neon, a methane analogue, underneath the soil sample and measured the gas pressure below and above the surface. They found higher pressure under the sample, indicating the gas was trapped. Within three to 13 days, a seal formed under the Mars-like conditions only in samples with five to ten per cent perchlorate concentration. However, Curiosity has measured much higher concentration in Gale Crater. (With inputs from agencies)

Is methane seeping on Mars? NASA scientists explain unusual behaviour of gas on the Red Planet's Gale Crater

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet.

This aircraft, about the size of a tissue box, made history by completing the first powered flight on another celestial body. It accomplished this feat by hitching a ride under the Perseverance rover, which initially departed the Martian surface on April 19, 2021.

"A long goodbye," NASA said on social media site X.

"Ingenuity's team received their final message from the #MarsHelicopter, which will now serve as a stationary testbed, collecting data that could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," it further wrote.

Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity defied all expectations.

Throughout its deployment, it took to the skies a total of 72 times, accumulating over two hours of flight time through brief hops. It navigated through challenges including dust storms, difficult terrain, a malfunctioning sensor, and extreme cold conditions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tiny-moon-big-ocean-this-is-how-a-huge-ocean-was-created-on-saturns-death-star-moon-mimas-712562">Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas</a>

Its role evolved into that of an aerial scout, aiding its wheeled companion in the exploration for evidence of ancient microbial life from a time when Mars was significantly wetter and warmer than it is today.

Especially designed to operate in springtime, its solar-powered heating system was unable to remain on throughout the night in winter. That led to the flight computer freezing over and forced engineers to devise new protocols.

NASA was trying to bring Martian rocks collected by the rover back to Earth faster and more cheaply, amid the agency facing mounting criticism for going massively over budget.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-humans-lived-in-this-vast-lava-tube-in-saudi-arabia-7000-years-ago-712474">Ancient humans lived in THIS vast lava tube in Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago</a>.&nbsp;

The effort comes as China is making progress towards a simpler "grab-and-go" sample return mission to the red planet "around 2030," according to state media, which would make it the first nation to achieve the feat.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet.

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet. This aircraft, about the size of a tissue box, made history by completing the first powered flight on another celestial body. It accomplished this feat by hitching a ride under the Perseverance rover, which initially departed the Martian surface on April 19, 2021. "A long goodbye," NASA said on social media site X. "Ingenuity's team received their final message from the #MarsHelicopter, which will now serve as a stationary testbed, collecting data that could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," it further wrote. Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity defied all expectations. Throughout its deployment, it took to the skies a total of 72 times, accumulating over two hours of flight time through brief hops. It navigated through challenges including dust storms, difficult terrain, a malfunctioning sensor, and extreme cold conditions. Also read: Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas Its role evolved into that of an aerial scout, aiding its wheeled companion in the exploration for evidence of ancient microbial life from a time when Mars was significantly wetter and warmer than it is today. Especially designed to operate in springtime, its solar-powered heating system was unable to remain on throughout the night in winter. That led to the flight computer freezing over and forced engineers to devise new protocols. NASA was trying to bring Martian rocks collected by the rover back to Earth faster and more cheaply, amid the agency facing mounting criticism for going massively over budget. Also read: Ancient humans lived in THIS vast lava tube in Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago. The effort comes as China is making progress towards a simpler "grab-and-go" sample return mission to the red planet "around 2030," according to state media, which would make it the first nation to achieve the feat. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter sends last message to Earth

NASA's quest to bring back rock samples from Mars to Earth to study traces of any existence of life is going through a huge overhaul.

The US space agency has said that the mission which has been currently planned won't be able to bring the rocks before 2040 on the basis of the existing funds and the $11 billion needed to make the plan successful sooner is not sustainable.

Hence, now the space agency is looking for cheaper and faster alternatives and they are planning to have a solution on their drawing board by the end of the year.

In planetary exploration, the return of rock samples from Mars is seen as an important step.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-set-to-make-massive-announcement-about-mars-sample-return-mission-check-date-and-time-711391">What will happen to Mars Sample Return mission? NASA is set to tell us soon</a>

Similar to how the rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts&nbsp;from the Moon helped scientists revolutionise the early Solar System's understanding, the rocks from the Red Planet may help understand the possibilities of life beyond Earth.&nbsp;

NASA has now accepted that its plan to bring back the samples from Mars is simply unrealistic in the current fiscal environment.

Speaking to the reporters during a Monday teleconference, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said, "The bottom line is that $11bn is too expensive, and not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long."

The former US senator stated that he will not let other agency science missions be "cannibalised" by the ongoing Mars project.

<h2>NASA in search of 'out-of-the-box possibilities'&nbsp;</h2>

Hence, NASA administrator Bill Nelson is now finding fresh ways to bring back rock samples from Mars.

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme is NASA's joint endeavour with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The programme is already carried out and the rock samples to be brought back to Earth are being collected and catalogued on Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover.

Watch:&nbsp;NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-dart-mission-asteroid-asteroid-dimorphos-debris-may-rain-on-mars-707482/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Later this decade, a follow-up mission was due to be launched which will carry a rocket to the surface of Mars.&nbsp;

Director of NASA's science directorate Dr Nicola Fox said, "We are looking at out-of-the-box possibilities that could return the samples earlier and at a lower cost."

"This is definitely a very ambitious goal, and we're going to need to go after some very innovative new possibilities for design, and certainly leave no stone unturned. Those new possibilities could include a smaller, simpler rocket," she added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's quest to bring back rock samples from Mars to Earth to study traces of any existence of life is going through a huge overhaul. The US space agency has said that the mission which has been currently planned won't be able to bring the rocks before 2040 on the basis of the existing funds and the $11 billion needed to make the plan successful sooner is not sustainable.

NASA's quest to bring back rock samples from Mars to Earth to study traces of any existence of life is going through a huge overhaul. The US space agency has said that the mission which has been currently planned won't be able to bring the rocks before 2040 on the basis of the existing funds and the $11 billion needed to make the plan successful sooner is not sustainable. Hence, now the space agency is looking for cheaper and faster alternatives and they are planning to have a solution on their drawing board by the end of the year. In planetary exploration, the return of rock samples from Mars is seen as an important step. Also Read: What will happen to Mars Sample Return mission? NASA is set to tell us soon Similar to how the rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts from the Moon helped scientists revolutionise the early Solar System's understanding, the rocks from the Red Planet may help understand the possibilities of life beyond Earth. NASA has now accepted that its plan to bring back the samples from Mars is simply unrealistic in the current fiscal environment. Speaking to the reporters during a Monday teleconference, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said, "The bottom line is that $11bn is too expensive, and not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long." The former US senator stated that he will not let other agency science missions be "cannibalised" by the ongoing Mars project. NASA in search of 'out-of-the-box possibilities' Hence, NASA administrator Bill Nelson is now finding fresh ways to bring back rock samples from Mars. The Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme is NASA's joint endeavour with the European Space Agency (ESA). The programme is already carried out and the rock samples to be brought back to Earth are being collected and catalogued on Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover. Watch: NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars Later this decade, a follow-up mission was due to be launched which will carry a rocket to the surface of Mars. Director of NASA's science directorate Dr Nicola Fox said, "We are looking at out-of-the-box possibilities that could return the samples earlier and at a lower cost." "This is definitely a very ambitious goal, and we're going to need to go after some very innovative new possibilities for design, and certainly leave no stone unturned. Those new possibilities could include a smaller, simpler rocket," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA working on a simpler, cheaper and quicker way to bring back samples from Mars

NASA will host a media teleconference on April 12, 2024 at 01:00 pm EDT (10:30 pm IST in India) to announce what's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission that's in a difficult situation.

NASA will host a media teleconference on April 12, 2024 at 01:00 pm EDT (10:30 pm IST in India) to announce what's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission that's in a difficult situation. During the teleconference, NASA will set out its recommendations for moving forward. NASA's beleaguered mission has been ongoing for several years now. Perseverance rover, deployed in 2021, is also a part of this mission, whose aim was to gather intriguing samples of Martian rock collected by another mission and return to Earth. However, last year, an independent review stated that the Mars Sample Return (MSR) had an "unrealistic budget and schedule," an "unwieldy structure," and was "not arranged to be led effectively". Due to this review, the future of the MSR mission became shaky. Subsequently, the House and Senate appropriations committees suggested a budget that comprised a cut of $454,080,000 to NASA's 2024 budget. The Mars Sample Return Mission suffered heavily due to this. Moreover, NASA has lowered its overall spending on the mission. The space administration has also laid off several workers and contractors from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is leading the mission. ALSO READ | NASA's Webb Telescope found margarita, vinegar-like chemicals on protostar The budget cuts and layoffs have led to alarm that NASA might halt the mission and the canisters loaded by Perseverance might be left useless on the Martian surface. However, NASA's upcoming announcement offers a glimmer of hope for the mission. NASA states, "Mars Sample Return has been a major long-term goal of international planetary exploration for the past two decades. NASA's Perseverance rover is collecting compelling science samples that will help scientists understand the geological history of Mars, the evolution of its climate and prepare for future human explorers. The return of the samples will also help NASA's search for signs of ancient life." According to the incumbent plan, there's an orbiter launching in 2027, a lander in 2028 and unique Mars samples returning to Earth in 2033. (With inputs from agencies)

What will happen to Mars Sample Return mission? NASA is set to tell us soon

Elon Musk has been vocal about his aim to colonise Mars one day. The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors has delivered another speech about his off-world fantasy. He gave a "tangible" roadmap to inhabiting the Red Planet.

Elon Musk has been vocal about his aim to colonise Mars one day. The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors has delivered another speech about his off-world fantasy. He gave a "tangible" roadmap to inhabiting the Red Planet. Musk provided the "overall path to making life multi-planetary" in a presentation to SpaceX employees at the company's Starbase facility in Texas. During the presentation, he said that although Falcon 9 is the primary launch vehicle for Earth's orbit, Starship will ultimately bring life to other worlds. Starship is the aeronautics company's largest and most powerful rocket. However, it hasn't managed to launch into orbit and then, land without destroying it. According to Musk, Starship will be capable of ferrying the 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. In the past, Starship has suffered many failures, like exploding during several test flights. It had its most successful run in the third and most recent launch last month and reached space for the second time. However, it didn't survive re-entry and crashed into the ocean. ALSO READ | Feeling furious? Write it down and throw away the paper, a Japanese way of ‘eliminating’ anger While the fourth test will require landing the Starship booster on a "virtual tower" in the ocean, the fifth would be to catch the booster with an actual launch tower in Starbase. "My guess is probably next year is when we will be able to reuse Starship," Musk said. So far, SpaceX has successfully conducted 327 Falcon launches. Musk plans on making a reusable "Starship 2," which will supposedly carry 100 tons of cargo to orbit. "Starship 3 will carry upward of 200 tonnes and cost less per flight than Falcon 1," Musk claimed. To send millions of tonnes of cargo to Mars, SpaceX estimates that it will need to build several thousand vehicles per year and conduct ten launches every day. "I think this is pretty doable," Musk said. "We're going to do this." Some experts have cast doubt on Musk's Martian ambitions. Starship must prove capable of carrying out its role in NASA's mission, Artemis 3, to land on the Moon. (With inputs from agencies)

‘I think this is pretty doable,’ says Elon Musk on Mars settlement plans

The story of Russian genius, Boriska Kipriyanovich, who is now around 28 years old and&nbsp;has left scientists impressed with his intelligence, is creating a buzz.&nbsp;The man from Russia’s Volgograd claims&nbsp;that he lived on Mars in his previous life and has reincarnated as a human on Earth to deliver a warning.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Boriska Kipriyanovich?</h2>

Born on January 11, 1996, Boriska who also calls himself an ‘Indigo Child,’ claims to have been a pilot on the red planet before he was “reborn” on Earth.

The man from Russia was 11 when he reportedly issued warnings in a video which quickly went viral. He also met with scientists who were left baffled by his knowledge about the planetary system at such a young age.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/have-you-ever-wondered-about-the-weight-of-the-earth-708668">Have you ever wondered about the weight of the Earth?</a>

Boriska claimed that he and his species were wiped out after a nuclear conflict broke out on Mars thousands of years ago and feared that someday Earth might suffer from the same fate.&nbsp;

While his claims sound bizarre, his intelligence has left many researchers impressed. According to reports, his mother was aware of her son’s intelligence as he was able to hold his head unsupported when he was a baby.

His mother also said that Boriska started speaking when he was just a few months old – most children start talking after nine months – and was able to read and draw when was just 18 months old.&nbsp;

As he grew up and started school, Boriska’s teachers were also reportedly amazed at his ability to read and his impressive memory.&nbsp;

According to reports, his parents say that they did not specifically teach Boriska about space when he was a child, but that he would often talk about Mars, space, and aliens.&nbsp;

<h2>His warning for humans</h2>

Boriska reportedly said that he has come to Earth on a mission to save our planet from a nuclear apocalypse which wiped out life on Mars along with “others” who miraculously survived the conflict.&nbsp;

Martians, Boriska claims, are very tall, technologically advanced and capable of interplanetary travel. He also said that those living on the red planet stop ageing after 35 and are immortal.&nbsp;

“I remember that time when I was 14 or 15 years old. The Martians were waging wars all the time so I would often have to participate in air raids with a friend of mine,” said the 28-year-old.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-creature-recovered-from-100mn-year-old-amber-might-pave-way-for-real-jurassic-park-708975">Ancient creature recovered from 100mn-year-old amber might pave way for real Jurassic Park</a>

Boriska claims that only a few survived the nuclear conflict, some of them exist even today.&nbsp;

The now 28-year-old has also claimed that many secrets are left to be uncovered on our planet, including the Great Pyramid of Giza which he said is hiding something big.

“The human life will change when the Sphinx is opened, it has an opening mechanism somewhere behind the ear; I do not remember exactly,” Boriska said.&nbsp;

According to unconfirmed reports, the Russian who would be 28 years old has disappeared along with his mother and attempts to track him down have failed.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The story of Russian genius, Boriska Kipriyanovich, who is now around 28 years old and has left scientists impressed with his intelligence, is creating a buzz. The man from Russia’s Volgograd claims that he lived on Mars in his previous life and has reincarnated as a human on Earth to deliver a warning.

The story of Russian genius, Boriska Kipriyanovich, who is now around 28 years old and has left scientists impressed with his intelligence, is creating a buzz. The man from Russia’s Volgograd claims that he lived on Mars in his previous life and has reincarnated as a human on Earth to deliver a warning. Who is Boriska Kipriyanovich? Born on January 11, 1996, Boriska who also calls himself an ‘Indigo Child,’ claims to have been a pilot on the red planet before he was “reborn” on Earth. The man from Russia was 11 when he reportedly issued warnings in a video which quickly went viral. He also met with scientists who were left baffled by his knowledge about the planetary system at such a young age. Also Read | Have you ever wondered about the weight of the Earth? Boriska claimed that he and his species were wiped out after a nuclear conflict broke out on Mars thousands of years ago and feared that someday Earth might suffer from the same fate. While his claims sound bizarre, his intelligence has left many researchers impressed. According to reports, his mother was aware of her son’s intelligence as he was able to hold his head unsupported when he was a baby. His mother also said that Boriska started speaking when he was just a few months old – most children start talking after nine months – and was able to read and draw when was just 18 months old. As he grew up and started school, Boriska’s teachers were also reportedly amazed at his ability to read and his impressive memory. According to reports, his parents say that they did not specifically teach Boriska about space when he was a child, but that he would often talk about Mars, space, and aliens. His warning for humans Boriska reportedly said that he has come to Earth on a mission to save our planet from a nuclear apocalypse which wiped out life on Mars along with “others” who miraculously survived the conflict. Martians, Boriska claims, are very tall, technologically advanced and capable of interplanetary travel. He also said that those living on the red planet stop ageing after 35 and are immortal. “I remember that time when I was 14 or 15 years old. The Martians were waging wars all the time so I would often have to participate in air raids with a friend of mine,” said the 28-year-old. Also Read | Ancient creature recovered from 100mn-year-old amber might pave way for real Jurassic Park Boriska claims that only a few survived the nuclear conflict, some of them exist even today. The now 28-year-old has also claimed that many secrets are left to be uncovered on our planet, including the Great Pyramid of Giza which he said is hiding something big. “The human life will change when the Sphinx is opened, it has an opening mechanism somewhere behind the ear; I do not remember exactly,” Boriska said. According to unconfirmed reports, the Russian who would be 28 years old has disappeared along with his mother and attempts to track him down have failed. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian genius who claims he lived on Mars in previous life leaves scientists baffled

NASA's Curiosity rover is currently in the twelfth year of its mission to investigate Mars. Till now, it has reached several places where no other rover has gone before.

NASA's Curiosity rover is currently in the twelfth year of its mission to investigate Mars. Till now, it has reached several places where no other rover has gone before. Recently, the Curiosity rover's adventures brought it to Gediz Vallis. a winding and boulder-choked channel some scientists believe is the desiccated bed of an ancient river. They will try to investigate more about its past and find out how the landform came to be in the first place. The Curiosity rover was originally slated for a two-year mission. However, it continues to trawl the Martian surface. It has provided several new insights about the red planet and its environment. The rover's findings have led scientists to believe that life might have once lived or still lives on Mars. Since 2014, the rover has been driving up the slopes of Mount Sharp, which towers 3 miles (5 kilometres) above the rover's initial landing location in Gale Crater. Mount Sharp and the rest of Mars would've been significantly wetter billions of years ago than it is today. However, Mars has dried up over time and the wind and remnant water has eroded the mountain into the layers Curiosity can see today. ALSO READ | Travelling 650 million light-years, a mysterious signal possibly from a star corpse has reached Earth According to scientists, some force carved the Gediz Vallis channel on the mountain's slope as it was in the process of drying up. Although it's possible that wind created Gediz Vallis, the channel's sides are steeper than scientists would expect from a wind-carved vale. There's a high chance that the channel spotted by Curiosity on Gediz Vallis' floor was formed by landslides from higher up the mountain, which could have deposited boulders and other rocky debris. Another intriguing prospect is that it was formed by the flow of liquid water. "If the channel or the debris pile were formed by liquid water, that's interesting. It would mean that fairly late in the story of Mount Sharp, after a long dry period water came back, and in a big way," said Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a statement. The Curiosity rover will spend several months exploring the channel, not just to study the Martian history but also to learn more about what lies beyond. As it is unable to climb Mount Sharp, the best way for the rover to investigate the area is by looking up from the channel, allowing scientists to gain insights into what lies ahead. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s Curiosity rover starts exploring possibly dried-up ancient water body on Mars

Mars, the red planet has puzzled scientists once again. NASA's Perseverance rover which has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater since early 2021 has discovered thousands of white rocks strewn across its surface. Recently delivered images by the rover show over 4,000 light-toned, pebble-sized "unusual" rocks scattered throughout the crater floor.

"These rocks are very unusual, and we're trying to understand their origin," said Candice Bedford, a planetary scientist at Purdue University and a member of the Mars 2020 science team, during the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-captures-creation-of-third-world-and-birth-of-moons-400-light-years-away-707585">James Webb captures creation of 'third world' and birth of moons 400 light-years away</a>

This comes as NASA completes an architectural review of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, which aims to bring Martian rocks back to Earth for analysis.

<h2>Analysis of rocks found THIS</h2>

Initial analysis of the rocks by Perseverance's instruments revealed that they are dehydrated. Not only do they lack water content, but also other minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and sodium.&nbsp;

"These rocks are pretty depleted in a lot of things," Bedford noted.

She suggests that the dehydrated nature of the rocks indicates they were heated and metamorphosed by processes like lava flows or asteroid impacts elsewhere on Mars before being deposited in the crater.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-names-three-companies-to-develop-rover-that-astronauts-will-drive-on-moon-707655">NASA names three companies to develop rover that astronauts will drive on Moon</a>

The team is keen to understand the origins of these rocks, in order to provide insights into Mars' past, including the timing of water presence in the Jezero crater, which is now a dry landscape.&nbsp;

Perseverance, which has covered over 15 miles (24.8 kilometers) on Mars, celebrated its 1,000th day on the planet in&nbsp;December last year. It has filled 26 of its 43 sample tubes with Martian rock samples, which could be studied extensively.

"Each sample has innumerable grains that we could potentially study for forever, essentially," said Benjamin Weiss, a professor of planetary sciences at MIT and a member of the Mars 2020 team.

As part of a bonus mission, Perseverance has started moving towards the Jezero Crater rim, where its long-distance camera has already spotted more light-toned rocks. Scientists believe the crater rim and beyond hold unique geology, including rocks that could provide clues about Mars' early climate and the possibility of past life.

Returning these samples to Earth is crucial for scientists to fully understand Mars' history. "It will revolutionize our understanding of Mars," said Benjamin Weiss.

<h2>Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme</h2>

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) program is spearheading the effort to bring these samples back to Earth. Questions remain about the program, including the timeline and approach for returning the samples. A response team (MIRT) was commissioned to evaluate alternative approaches after an independent review board (IRB) found issues with the current plan. NASA's budget for MSR is yet to be finalised, with a revised plan and budget expected in April.

Mars, the red planet has puzzled scientists once again. NASA's Perseverance rover which has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater since early 2021 has discovered thousands of white rocks strewn across its surface.

Mars, the red planet has puzzled scientists once again. NASA's Perseverance rover which has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater since early 2021 has discovered thousands of white rocks strewn across its surface. Recently delivered images by the rover show over 4,000 light-toned, pebble-sized "unusual" rocks scattered throughout the crater floor. "These rocks are very unusual, and we're trying to understand their origin," said Candice Bedford, a planetary scientist at Purdue University and a member of the Mars 2020 science team, during the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) last month. Also read | James Webb captures creation of 'third world' and birth of moons 400 light-years away This comes as NASA completes an architectural review of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, which aims to bring Martian rocks back to Earth for analysis. Analysis of rocks found THIS Initial analysis of the rocks by Perseverance's instruments revealed that they are dehydrated. Not only do they lack water content, but also other minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. "These rocks are pretty depleted in a lot of things," Bedford noted. She suggests that the dehydrated nature of the rocks indicates they were heated and metamorphosed by processes like lava flows or asteroid impacts elsewhere on Mars before being deposited in the crater. Also read | NASA names three companies to develop rover that astronauts will drive on Moon The team is keen to understand the origins of these rocks, in order to provide insights into Mars' past, including the timing of water presence in the Jezero crater, which is now a dry landscape. Perseverance, which has covered over 15 miles (24.8 kilometers) on Mars, celebrated its 1,000th day on the planet in December last year. It has filled 26 of its 43 sample tubes with Martian rock samples, which could be studied extensively. "Each sample has innumerable grains that we could potentially study for forever, essentially," said Benjamin Weiss, a professor of planetary sciences at MIT and a member of the Mars 2020 team. As part of a bonus mission, Perseverance has started moving towards the Jezero Crater rim, where its long-distance camera has already spotted more light-toned rocks. Scientists believe the crater rim and beyond hold unique geology, including rocks that could provide clues about Mars' early climate and the possibility of past life. Returning these samples to Earth is crucial for scientists to fully understand Mars' history. "It will revolutionize our understanding of Mars," said Benjamin Weiss. Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) program is spearheading the effort to bring these samples back to Earth. Questions remain about the program, including the timeline and approach for returning the samples. A response team (MIRT) was commissioned to evaluate alternative approaches after an independent review board (IRB) found issues with the current plan. NASA's budget for MSR is yet to be finalised, with a revised plan and budget expected in April.

NASA's Perseverance rover spots thousands of 'unusual' white rocks on Mars

NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme&nbsp;to deflect&nbsp;celestial bodies threatening to hit&nbsp;Earth. While the DART mission was the talk of the town at the time, the debris of the asteroid in question is&nbsp;returning to haunt a planet. Worry not, as&nbsp;Earth is safe but our red neighbour&nbsp;Mars is not.

<h2>NASA Dart Mission</h2>

An asteroid, known as Dimorphos, was knocked off its original orbit and shattered into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in a groundbreaking mission. In this mission, it was also proved that the scientists on Earth have the capability to redirect an asteroid if it ever poses a threat to the planet.

The test ended successfully as NASA was able to prove that a kinetic impactor has the capability of changing an asteroid's orbit and also altering its overall trajectory.&nbsp;

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In the test, a vending machine-sized spacecraft was launched by NASA at an asteroid system which had two space rocks, Didymos and Dimorphos. The collision of the DART spacecraft reduced the speed of &nbsp;Dimorphos' orbit time around Didymos by 32 minutes and 42 seconds.&nbsp;

<h2>Humans generate a meteor storm</h2>

In a paper, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the researchers said that the pieces of Dimorphos can enter the thin atmosphere of Mars and even hit its surface, where it will create craters.

The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, has stated the myriad ways in which these boulders are likely to orbit around the Sun in the next 20,000 years. However, the scientists failed to find any possibility of them getting burnt up in the skies of the Earth.

Watch:&nbsp;Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid

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A near-Earth object dynamicist at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre study author Marco Fenucci said, "But they’re going to cross the orbit of Mars."

They added that if by any chance both Mars and the mini-asteroids meet at a crossing, some of them will enter its thin atmosphere. “And they will arrive to the ground and make a crater,” said Fenucci.

This is the first time humans have generated their own meteor storm which is likely to end up hitting a rocky planet.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme to deflect celestial bodies threatening to hit Earth.

NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme to deflect celestial bodies threatening to hit Earth. While the DART mission was the talk of the town at the time, the debris of the asteroid in question is returning to haunt a planet. Worry not, as Earth is safe but our red neighbour Mars is not. NASA Dart Mission An asteroid, known as Dimorphos, was knocked off its original orbit and shattered into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in a groundbreaking mission. In this mission, it was also proved that the scientists on Earth have the capability to redirect an asteroid if it ever poses a threat to the planet. The test ended successfully as NASA was able to prove that a kinetic impactor has the capability of changing an asteroid's orbit and also altering its overall trajectory. Also Read: James Webb Space Telescope probes binary asteroid system Mors-Somnus in Kuiper Belt to know Neptune's past In the test, a vending machine-sized spacecraft was launched by NASA at an asteroid system which had two space rocks, Didymos and Dimorphos. The collision of the DART spacecraft reduced the speed of Dimorphos' orbit time around Didymos by 32 minutes and 42 seconds. Humans generate a meteor storm In a paper, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the researchers said that the pieces of Dimorphos can enter the thin atmosphere of Mars and even hit its surface, where it will create craters. The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, has stated the myriad ways in which these boulders are likely to orbit around the Sun in the next 20,000 years. However, the scientists failed to find any possibility of them getting burnt up in the skies of the Earth. Watch: Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid A near-Earth object dynamicist at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre study author Marco Fenucci said, "But they’re going to cross the orbit of Mars." They added that if by any chance both Mars and the mini-asteroids meet at a crossing, some of them will enter its thin atmosphere. “And they will arrive to the ground and make a crater,” said Fenucci. This is the first time humans have generated their own meteor storm which is likely to end up hitting a rocky planet. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars

Taking the ongoing research on the Martian land to the next level, scientists have not spotted a massive and oddly shaped volcano - which is bigger than Mount Everest - on the surface of the planet.&nbsp;

The volcano is said to have been hiding for decades in plain sight. On March 13, lead author of the research and Mars Institute Chairman Dr Pascal Lee announced the new volcano spotted on Mars at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, which sent waves across the planetary sciences community.&nbsp;

The volcano identified by Lee and Sourabh Shubham, who is a doctoral student of geology at the University of Maryland, is located in the Noctis Labyrinthus region of Mars. This is terrain close to the equator and has a web of canyons.

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For years, scientists have failed to see the volcano in the “Labyrinth of Night” &nbsp;despite multiple satellite observations since it does not tower over the landscape which surrounds it, said Lee.&nbsp;

“It’s also deeply eroded, eaten up and collapsed by erosion to the point that unless you’re really looking for a volcano, you would be really hard-pressed to spot it very quickly,” he said while speaking to CNN.

If the spotting of the volcano is correct, the new finding can have major implications for Martian geology's understanding.&nbsp;

<h2>Scientist hopes hidden volcano may help find water ice, life</h2>

Lee said that he is hopeful the discovery of the volcano will help future exploratory missions in searching for signs of water ice or life.

The efforts of the research team initially led to a study which was presented in March 2023 and stated that the Noctis Labyrinthus region is filled with massive glaciers which are covered in salt deposits.

After that, Lee and Shubham investigated the data collected by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and tried to find whether water might still be frozen under the salt.

Watch:&nbsp;Planet warming at an accelerating rate

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The find for water ice is important since this can be used to sustain human exploration on Mars and also convert it into rocket fuel.&nbsp;

Lee, while studying the landscape, said that he was struck by “this little lava flow next to the glacier.”

"The lava hadn’t yet been fully oxidised, a process that would turn it the same muddy orange hue as the surrounding surface," said Lee, as reported by CNN.

This hinted that the lava is likely to be fresh which was the first hint that an undetected volcano is lurking nearby.

“We started looking at the landscape carefully. And sure enough, when we examined the high points of this region, we noticed that they formed an arc," said Lee.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Taking the ongoing research on the Martian land to the next level, scientists have not spotted a massive and oddly shaped volcano - which is bigger than Mount Everest - on the surface of the planet.

Taking the ongoing research on the Martian land to the next level, scientists have not spotted a massive and oddly shaped volcano - which is bigger than Mount Everest - on the surface of the planet. The volcano is said to have been hiding for decades in plain sight. On March 13, lead author of the research and Mars Institute Chairman Dr Pascal Lee announced the new volcano spotted on Mars at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, which sent waves across the planetary sciences community. The volcano identified by Lee and Sourabh Shubham, who is a doctoral student of geology at the University of Maryland, is located in the Noctis Labyrinthus region of Mars. This is terrain close to the equator and has a web of canyons. Also Read: Aliens on Venus? A new experiment suggests planet can host lives in a toxic cloud For years, scientists have failed to see the volcano in the “Labyrinth of Night” despite multiple satellite observations since it does not tower over the landscape which surrounds it, said Lee. “It’s also deeply eroded, eaten up and collapsed by erosion to the point that unless you’re really looking for a volcano, you would be really hard-pressed to spot it very quickly,” he said while speaking to CNN. If the spotting of the volcano is correct, the new finding can have major implications for Martian geology's understanding. Scientist hopes hidden volcano may help find water ice, life Lee said that he is hopeful the discovery of the volcano will help future exploratory missions in searching for signs of water ice or life. The efforts of the research team initially led to a study which was presented in March 2023 and stated that the Noctis Labyrinthus region is filled with massive glaciers which are covered in salt deposits. After that, Lee and Shubham investigated the data collected by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and tried to find whether water might still be frozen under the salt. Watch: Planet warming at an accelerating rate The find for water ice is important since this can be used to sustain human exploration on Mars and also convert it into rocket fuel. Lee, while studying the landscape, said that he was struck by “this little lava flow next to the glacier.” "The lava hadn’t yet been fully oxidised, a process that would turn it the same muddy orange hue as the surrounding surface," said Lee, as reported by CNN. This hinted that the lava is likely to be fresh which was the first hint that an undetected volcano is lurking nearby. “We started looking at the landscape carefully. And sure enough, when we examined the high points of this region, we noticed that they formed an arc," said Lee. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists, in hunt for water ice, spot Everest-size hidden volcano on Mars

In a stunning discovery, a group of scientists working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California found that a single meteorite led to the creation of two billion craters on the Martian surface.

In a stunning discovery, a group of scientists working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California found that a single meteorite led to the creation of two billion craters on the Martian surface. Along with the 2.3 million-year-old crater, known as Corinto, which is spread over the 8.6 miles surface of the planet, the asteroid also led to the creation of several billion secondary craters after it hit the Martian Surface and sent up a huge plume of rocks, reported New Scientist. A chain reaction was triggered by these rocks and even more craters were added as they came crashing down. After analysing the satellite images, JPL's Matthew Golombek and his teammates tried to get an idea of the number of craters which may have been triggered by the blast. They found that Corinto had between 1.3 and 3 billion "secondaries," and each of them was at least 33 feet apart from the other. "Corinto is a fresh impact crater in Elysium Panitia that produced one of the most extensive systems of…secondary craters on Mars," wrote the researchers, in the study, which was released at the conference. Also Read: Major breakthrough! Giant volcano found on Mars with glacier ice beneath it. What could it mean for humans? The study can help scientists understand complex geological processes which take place on the Martian surface and how its composition and landscapes have changed over time. Falling Rocks The area, which has been pockmarked by billions of craters, is very massive and spreads out in 540,000 square miles — which coincidentally also includes NASA's InSight Mars lander landing spot. "The observed differences…with distance from the crater likely result from variations in impact velocity and size of ejecta," said the researchers, in the study. "Quantifying the number of secondaries is important to better understand how a relatively small crater could possibly eject that much material during the cratering process," said Golombek, while speaking to New Scientist. Watch: UN 'red alert' for planet earth | Flash floods wreak havoc in Iraqi city Meanwhile, more recent meteorite impacts have also helped scientists make fascinating discoveries. In 2022, a massive marsquake was detected by InSight which was found to be the result of one of the biggest observed meteors which is said to have hit Mars. The meteors' impact was said to be so powerful that it blasted up chunks of underground ice. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive asteroid led to two billion craters on surface of Mars, claim scientists

The red planet continues to surprise! In a recent study, scientists revealed that they discovered a giant volcano on Mars along with a possible sheet of buried glacier ice in the eastern part of the planet’s Tharsis volcanic area near its equator.

The groundbreaking announcement was made at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in The Woodlands, Texas.&nbsp;

Since the launch of Mariner 9 in 1971, spacecraft circling Mars have taken many pictures. But a huge volcano there, which has been worn down a lot, wasn't easy to see clearly. It was right there for decades, sitting between two famous places on Mars: the jumbled-up Noctis Labyrinthus and the huge canyons of Valles Marineris.

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<h2>Giant volcano found on Mars was hiding in plain sight&nbsp;</h2>

The giant volcano measures +9,022 metres in elevation and spans 450 kilometres in width. The volcano is provisionally named “Noctis Volcano” and awaits a proper official name. The volcanic structure is situated at 7° 35' S, 93° 55' W on the surface of the red planet.

The gigantic size of the volcano and its complex history of modification indicate that it has been active for a very long time. In the southeastern part of the volcano, scientists also found a recent volcanic deposit, under which glacier ice was also present.

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This combined discovery of a giant volcano and possible glacier ice is quite significant, as it opens up a new realm for researchers and scientists to study Mars, which could possibly be a new place of life and space exploration in the future.&nbsp;
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"We were examining the geology of an area where we had found the remains of a glacier last year when we realized we were inside a huge and deeply eroded volcano," said Dr Pascal Lee, a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute and the Mars Institute based at NASA Ames Research Center, and the lead author of the study.

Scientists also found a caldera remnant near the centre of the volcanic structure, which further emboldens the fact that this volcano has been active in recent years. Caldera remnants are typically the remains of a collapsed volcanic crater that was once a hot lava lake.&nbsp;

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In addition to the volcano, the study also reports the discovery of a large, 5000-kilometre area of volcanic deposits within its perimeter.&nbsp;

This "blistered terrain" is interpreted to be a field of "rootless cones",&nbsp;mounds produced by explosive steam venting or steam swelling when a thin blanket of hot volcanic materials comes to rest on top of a water or ice-rich surface.

Study experts noticed that the Noctis Volcano has a long history of modification which is the result of a combination of phenomena like&nbsp;fracturing, thermal erosion, and glacial erosion. Researchers interpret the volcano to be a vast shield made of layered accumulations of pyroclastic materials, lavas, and ice, the latter resulting from repeated buildups of snow and glaciers on its flanks through time.

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<h2>What does this discovery mean for humans?</h2>

As mysteries surrounding the Noctis volcano continue to thrill scientists, the site is already emerging as an exciting new location to study Mars' geologic evolution, search for life, and plan future robotic and human exploration.&nbsp;

The possible presence of glacier ice at shallow depths near the equator means that humans could potentially explore a less frigid part of the planet while still being able to extract water for hydration and manufacturing rocket fuel (by breaking down H2O into hydrogen and oxygen).

(With inputs from agencies)

The red planet continues to surprise! In a recent study, scientists revealed that they discovered a giant volcano on Mars along with a possible sheet of buried glacier ice in the eastern part of the planet’s Tharsis volcanic area near its equator.

The red planet continues to surprise! In a recent study, scientists revealed that they discovered a giant volcano on Mars along with a possible sheet of buried glacier ice in the eastern part of the planet’s Tharsis volcanic area near its equator. The groundbreaking announcement was made at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in The Woodlands, Texas. Since the launch of Mariner 9 in 1971, spacecraft circling Mars have taken many pictures. But a huge volcano there, which has been worn down a lot, wasn't easy to see clearly. It was right there for decades, sitting between two famous places on Mars: the jumbled-up Noctis Labyrinthus and the huge canyons of Valles Marineris. Also Read | Larger daughters, not sons, rule size-chart in some species of mammals Giant volcano found on Mars was hiding in plain sight The giant volcano measures +9,022 metres in elevation and spans 450 kilometres in width. The volcano is provisionally named “Noctis Volcano” and awaits a proper official name. The volcanic structure is situated at 7° 35' S, 93° 55' W on the surface of the red planet. The gigantic size of the volcano and its complex history of modification indicate that it has been active for a very long time. In the southeastern part of the volcano, scientists also found a recent volcanic deposit, under which glacier ice was also present. Also Read | Woman uses AI to 'chat' with dead mother, gets 'spooky' results as responses felt too real This combined discovery of a giant volcano and possible glacier ice is quite significant, as it opens up a new realm for researchers and scientists to study Mars, which could possibly be a new place of life and space exploration in the future. "We were examining the geology of an area where we had found the remains of a glacier last year when we realized we were inside a huge and deeply eroded volcano," said Dr Pascal Lee, a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute and the Mars Institute based at NASA Ames Research Center, and the lead author of the study. Scientists also found a caldera remnant near the centre of the volcanic structure, which further emboldens the fact that this volcano has been active in recent years. Caldera remnants are typically the remains of a collapsed volcanic crater that was once a hot lava lake. Also Read | Unbelievable! New study claims dark matter is simply parallel universe In addition to the volcano, the study also reports the discovery of a large, 5000-kilometre area of volcanic deposits within its perimeter. This "blistered terrain" is interpreted to be a field of "rootless cones", mounds produced by explosive steam venting or steam swelling when a thin blanket of hot volcanic materials comes to rest on top of a water or ice-rich surface. Study experts noticed that the Noctis Volcano has a long history of modification which is the result of a combination of phenomena like fracturing, thermal erosion, and glacial erosion. Researchers interpret the volcano to be a vast shield made of layered accumulations of pyroclastic materials, lavas, and ice, the latter resulting from repeated buildups of snow and glaciers on its flanks through time. Also Read | Archaeologists discover earliest direct evidence of body piercings in Neolithic graves in Turkey What does this discovery mean for humans? As mysteries surrounding the Noctis volcano continue to thrill scientists, the site is already emerging as an exciting new location to study Mars' geologic evolution, search for life, and plan future robotic and human exploration. The possible presence of glacier ice at shallow depths near the equator means that humans could potentially explore a less frigid part of the planet while still being able to extract water for hydration and manufacturing rocket fuel (by breaking down H2O into hydrogen and oxygen). (With inputs from agencies)

Major breakthrough! Giant volcano found on Mars with glacier ice beneath it. What could it mean for humans?

Did life exist on Mars? This is a question to which all of us want answers too well an American Rover built by NASA's jet propulsion lab has been driving around and studying Mars for over 3 years. Watch this interview to know more.

NASA's 'Perseverance' completes three years on Mars

Mars, one of the most intriguing planets of our solar system, has stunned scientists once again. A recent study conducted by researchers at Tohoku University in Japan found traces of atmospheric formaldehyde on the red planet.&nbsp;

This unexpected discovery on the planet Mars could have led to the formation of biomolecules, crucial for supporting life on the planet, the study deduced. The findings of the research were published in the journal Scientific Reports.&nbsp;

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<h2>Formaldehyde found on Mars, another sign of life on the planet</h2>

Mars is a pretty arid and barren planet right now, but it was once home to the very origin of life. In fact, scientists believe that Mars was home to liquid water for at least 200 million years.&nbsp;

Signs of water are the most important indicator of the potential for life in the universe, and now new research suggests that the molecules that are required for life to begin, formaldehyde, could have formed when Mars was home to water. This adds another layer to the theory of the existence of life on the red planet.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars

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Formaldehyde is an essential ingredient in creating life’s basic building blocks, such as proteins and RNA.

It seems that approximately 3.8 to 3.6 billion years ago, Mars may have harboured a hospitable environment with liquid water on its surface, potentially facilitating conditions for life to emerge. This was likely sustained by the presence of specific gases that contributed to a warm atmosphere.

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However, it is still a mystery whether this environment was suitable to produce formaldehyde.

What does the study show?

The study at Tohoku University aims to study the origins of organic material like formaldehyde on Mars and study the conditions that could have existed there billions of years ago.&nbsp;

To do that, researchers used a computer model to simulate the conditions on Mars at the time. The team concluded that the organic material was likely formaldehyde, which would be found there as there was plenty of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere.

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The team, led by lead author Shungo Koyama, said: “Our results show that a continuous supply of atmospheric [formaldehyde] can be used to form various organic compounds, including amino acids and sugars.”

The study also considered that “a continuous supply of bio-important sugars on early Mars, particularly during the Noachian and early Hesperian periods,” was plausible.

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This study carries considerable implications for the ongoing quest to find life beyond Earth. By comprehending the conditions conducive to life on Mars, scientists can enhance their methods for identifying indications of past life.&nbsp;

The discovery of bioessential sugars and amino acids in ancient Martian environments could inform and direct future missions in their pursuit of evidence.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Mars, one of the most intriguing planets of our solar system, has stunned scientists once again. A recent study conducted by researchers at Tohoku University in Japan found traces of atmospheric formaldehyde on the red planet.

Mars, one of the most intriguing planets of our solar system, has stunned scientists once again. A recent study conducted by researchers at Tohoku University in Japan found traces of atmospheric formaldehyde on the red planet. This unexpected discovery on the planet Mars could have led to the formation of biomolecules, crucial for supporting life on the planet, the study deduced. The findings of the research were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Also Read | These Earth critters may be colonising the moon, all thanks to a 2019 crash. Here's all you need to know Formaldehyde found on Mars, another sign of life on the planet Mars is a pretty arid and barren planet right now, but it was once home to the very origin of life. In fact, scientists believe that Mars was home to liquid water for at least 200 million years. Signs of water are the most important indicator of the potential for life in the universe, and now new research suggests that the molecules that are required for life to begin, formaldehyde, could have formed when Mars was home to water. This adds another layer to the theory of the existence of life on the red planet. Watch | Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × Formaldehyde is an essential ingredient in creating life’s basic building blocks, such as proteins and RNA. It seems that approximately 3.8 to 3.6 billion years ago, Mars may have harboured a hospitable environment with liquid water on its surface, potentially facilitating conditions for life to emerge. This was likely sustained by the presence of specific gases that contributed to a warm atmosphere. Also Read | Webb Telescope reveals how space finally shed its darkness to adorn brightness However, it is still a mystery whether this environment was suitable to produce formaldehyde. What does the study show? The study at Tohoku University aims to study the origins of organic material like formaldehyde on Mars and study the conditions that could have existed there billions of years ago. To do that, researchers used a computer model to simulate the conditions on Mars at the time. The team concluded that the organic material was likely formaldehyde, which would be found there as there was plenty of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. Also Read | Babies born during COVID-19 pandemic show ‘fascinating’ biological alterations, says study The team, led by lead author Shungo Koyama, said: “Our results show that a continuous supply of atmospheric [formaldehyde] can be used to form various organic compounds, including amino acids and sugars.” The study also considered that “a continuous supply of bio-important sugars on early Mars, particularly during the Noachian and early Hesperian periods,” was plausible. Also Read | SpaceX, NASA launch Crew-8 astronaut mission to International Space Station This study carries considerable implications for the ongoing quest to find life beyond Earth. By comprehending the conditions conducive to life on Mars, scientists can enhance their methods for identifying indications of past life. The discovery of bioessential sugars and amino acids in ancient Martian environments could inform and direct future missions in their pursuit of evidence. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists find unexpected biomolecule on Mars that could have triggered life on the red planet

European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft has captured a breathtaking image near Mars’s northern pole, showing the meeting point of vast sand dunes and layers of icy sedimentation covering the planet’s polar region.

Mars Express mission was launched on June 2, 2003, and it arrived on the Red Planet in December of that year.&nbsp;The mission is still in operation and continues to probe the Martian atmosphere, surface, and subsurface.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This breathtaking view is from the Martian landscape surrounding the north pole, known as Planum Boreum. Layers of fine dust and water ice, stacked several kilometres thick and extending over 1000 km, create a mesmerising vista.

The lowest altitude regions are blue or green and the highest are red, white or brown, indicating the varying elevations and composition of the layered deposits.

These layers, formed over millennia as a combination of dust, water ice, and frost settled on the Martian surface, hold crucial clues to the planet's climatic history, offering insights into how Mars's environment has evolved over millions of years.

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<h2>Martian winters&nbsp;</h2>

What is more intriguing is that as the Martian winter arrives, these layers are capped by a thin sheet of dry ice. Later, once summer kicks in these sheets disappear into the atmosphere.&nbsp;

The latest image was captured by the Mars Express High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). It shows a breathtaking view from the Martian terrain which marked a beautiful transition from layered and ripped sand deposits/dunes to expansive smooth sand dunes.

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The image beautifully captured&nbsp;a vast expanse of rippled sand dunes stretching over 150 km.&nbsp;

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The picture also captured the contrasting landscapes with two imposing semicircular cliffs, each around 20 km wide, towering up to a kilometre high. These cliffs on the Martian planet are shaped by wind erosion and surface wear.

(With inputs from agencies)

European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft has captured a breathtaking image near Mars’s northern pole, showing the meeting point of vast sand dunes and layers of icy sedimentation covering the planet’s polar region.

European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft has captured a breathtaking image near Mars’s northern pole, showing the meeting point of vast sand dunes and layers of icy sedimentation covering the planet’s polar region. Mars Express mission was launched on June 2, 2003, and it arrived on the Red Planet in December of that year. The mission is still in operation and continues to probe the Martian atmosphere, surface, and subsurface. This breathtaking view is from the Martian landscape surrounding the north pole, known as Planum Boreum. Layers of fine dust and water ice, stacked several kilometres thick and extending over 1000 km, create a mesmerising vista. The lowest altitude regions are blue or green and the highest are red, white or brown, indicating the varying elevations and composition of the layered deposits. These layers, formed over millennia as a combination of dust, water ice, and frost settled on the Martian surface, hold crucial clues to the planet's climatic history, offering insights into how Mars's environment has evolved over millions of years. Also Read | Bangs heard during Titan submersible search to be heard for 1st time in new documentary Martian winters What is more intriguing is that as the Martian winter arrives, these layers are capped by a thin sheet of dry ice. Later, once summer kicks in these sheets disappear into the atmosphere. The latest image was captured by the Mars Express High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). It shows a breathtaking view from the Martian terrain which marked a beautiful transition from layered and ripped sand deposits/dunes to expansive smooth sand dunes. Also Read | 7,300-year-old underwater volcano eruption emerges as largest in history, reveals new study The image beautifully captured a vast expanse of rippled sand dunes stretching over 150 km. Watch | London is most exposed city to air pollution from aviation, study finds × The picture also captured the contrasting landscapes with two imposing semicircular cliffs, each around 20 km wide, towering up to a kilometre high. These cliffs on the Martian planet are shaped by wind erosion and surface wear. (With inputs from agencies)

Sand dunes meet ice layers on Martian North Pole in stunning images shared by Mars Express spacecraft

NASA's Mars mission is just getting thrilling. NASA is seeking volunteers to participate in a one-year Mars surface simulation mission. It will help the space agency to develop plans for human exploration of the Red Planet.

NASA seeking volunteers to simulate a mission to Mars. Here's how to apply

Mars, a barren planet, is known for its harsh environment where the existence of life is nothing short of difficult, and living there won't be easy. Now, NASA is seeking applicants to do just that, in a simulation setting.&nbsp;

<h2>Life on Mars</h2>

The upcoming one-year simulation is part of the American space agency's Mars surface mission, part of the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) programme. This mission is the second of three planned ground-based missions and is set to begin in the spring of 2025.

Four volunteers will be required to live and work inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/esa-releases-pics-of-dead-satellite-tumbling-to-earth-can-it-fall-on-someones-head-all-you-need-to-know-691984">ESA shares pics of dead satellite tumbling towards Earth; can it fall on someone’s head? All you need to know</a>

The habitat, called Mars Dune Alpha, will replicate the challenges of a Mars mission, including limited resources, equipment failures, communication delays, and environmental stressors.&nbsp;

Volunteers will be given a living quarters, workspace, a medical station, lounge areas and a galley and food growing stations. They will be required to conduct simulated spacewalks, work with robots, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growth. Furthermore, they will be subjected to typical challenges, "including resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental stressors."

<h2>Who can apply?</h2>

As per the NASA website, the space agency is looking for healthy, motivated US citizens or permanent residents who are non-smokers. The applicants must be between the ages of 30-55, and proficient in English.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-decode-years-of-research-to-find-the-optimal-temperature-for-life-heres-all-you-need-to-know-692028">Researchers decode years of research to find the optimal temperature for life. Here's all you need to know</a>

"Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars," states NASA. They must also meet standard NASA criteria for astronaut candidates.

The deadline for applying for this unique opportunity is April 2nd.

Participants will be compensated for the mission, however, no details have been provided.

The CHAPEA missions are aimed at providing valuable scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions for future Mars missions. NASA is using research from the ongoing simulated missions to inform crew health and performance support during actual Mars expeditions.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mars, a barren planet, is known for its harsh environment where the existence of life is nothing short of difficult, and living there won't be easy. Now, NASA is seeking applicants to do just that, in a simulation setting.

Mars, a barren planet, is known for its harsh environment where the existence of life is nothing short of difficult, and living there won't be easy. Now, NASA is seeking applicants to do just that, in a simulation setting. Life on Mars The upcoming one-year simulation is part of the American space agency's Mars surface mission, part of the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) programme. This mission is the second of three planned ground-based missions and is set to begin in the spring of 2025. Four volunteers will be required to live and work inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Also read | ESA shares pics of dead satellite tumbling towards Earth; can it fall on someone’s head? All you need to know The habitat, called Mars Dune Alpha, will replicate the challenges of a Mars mission, including limited resources, equipment failures, communication delays, and environmental stressors. Volunteers will be given a living quarters, workspace, a medical station, lounge areas and a galley and food growing stations. They will be required to conduct simulated spacewalks, work with robots, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growth. Furthermore, they will be subjected to typical challenges, "including resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental stressors." Who can apply? As per the NASA website, the space agency is looking for healthy, motivated US citizens or permanent residents who are non-smokers. The applicants must be between the ages of 30-55, and proficient in English. Also read | Researchers decode years of research to find the optimal temperature for life. Here's all you need to know "Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars," states NASA. They must also meet standard NASA criteria for astronaut candidates. The deadline for applying for this unique opportunity is April 2nd. Participants will be compensated for the mission, however, no details have been provided. The CHAPEA missions are aimed at providing valuable scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions for future Mars missions. NASA is using research from the ongoing simulated missions to inform crew health and performance support during actual Mars expeditions. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Martians wanted’: NASA is looking for volunteers to live in a Mars simulator for a year

In a new survey of the surface of Mars carried out by scientists, it was found that the volcanoes which littered the red planet are likely to resemble the rumblings which were on Earth before the formation of tectonic plates around 3 billion years ago. 
 
Scientists believe that the surprisingly violent history of Mars is likely to reveal some clues regarding the past of the Earth. 
 
The scars of volcanic activity, which were found in the Eridania region of the planet's southern hemisphere, were catalogued by planetary scientist Joseph Michalski of the University of Hong Kong and his colleagues with the use of remote sensing data from different orbiters.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-life-existed-near-ancient-mile-deep-lake-active-volcanoes-on-mars-scientists-suggest-so-689875">Alien life existed near ancient mile-deep lake, active volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so</a>

At present, the Earth has a crust of interlocking continental plates which float above its viscous mantle and Mars is usually considered as a one-plate planet which once had active volcanoes. These volcanoes were massive in size and explosive in nature and Olympus was the largest among them – its volume being 100 times greater than Earth's biggest Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

<h2 lang="en-US">Why were volcanoes on Mars so large in size?</h2>

The volcanoes on planet Mars were so large because the planet had less number of tectonic plates which help in venting the pressures of a churning mantle. Mars' geological history has not been recycled like that of our planet and can contain inklings of how Earth's crust may have been formed. 
 
"The planet Mars represents a particularly valuable puzzle piece in this regard," wrote Michalski and his colleagues in their published paper. 
 
"Though the crust is heavily impact cratered, the ancient geologic record remains largely intact and therefore provides an invaluable window into early Solar System geological conditions and clues to early crustal evolution,” the researchers explained. 
 
According to the researchers, they may be able to find hundreds more volcanoes in the Eridania region, many of which may have probably erupted beneath an ancient sea. This is likely to provide a good parallel to what happened on Earth during the Archean period when the planet was mostly constituted of water and the earliest forms of life came into existence.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars

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"It's just astonishing to think about the scale of activity in this region," said study author and planetary geologist at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart, while speaking to Space.com. 
 
"Seeing a Martian landscape shaped by these processes and preserved in stasis provides us with a great opportunity to investigate planetary landscape evolution in more detail,” he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new survey of the surface of Mars carried out by scientists, it was found that the volcanoes which littered the red planet are likely to resemble the rumblings which were on Earth before the formation of tectonic plates around 3 billion years ago.

In a new survey of the surface of Mars carried out by scientists, it was found that the volcanoes which littered the red planet are likely to resemble the rumblings which were on Earth before the formation of tectonic plates around 3 billion years ago. Scientists believe that the surprisingly violent history of Mars is likely to reveal some clues regarding the past of the Earth. The scars of volcanic activity, which were found in the Eridania region of the planet's southern hemisphere, were catalogued by planetary scientist Joseph Michalski of the University of Hong Kong and his colleagues with the use of remote sensing data from different orbiters. Also Read: Alien life existed near ancient mile-deep lake, active volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so At present, the Earth has a crust of interlocking continental plates which float above its viscous mantle and Mars is usually considered as a one-plate planet which once had active volcanoes. These volcanoes were massive in size and explosive in nature and Olympus was the largest among them – its volume being 100 times greater than Earth's biggest Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Why were volcanoes on Mars so large in size? The volcanoes on planet Mars were so large because the planet had less number of tectonic plates which help in venting the pressures of a churning mantle. Mars' geological history has not been recycled like that of our planet and can contain inklings of how Earth's crust may have been formed. "The planet Mars represents a particularly valuable puzzle piece in this regard," wrote Michalski and his colleagues in their published paper. "Though the crust is heavily impact cratered, the ancient geologic record remains largely intact and therefore provides an invaluable window into early Solar System geological conditions and clues to early crustal evolution,” the researchers explained. According to the researchers, they may be able to find hundreds more volcanoes in the Eridania region, many of which may have probably erupted beneath an ancient sea. This is likely to provide a good parallel to what happened on Earth during the Archean period when the planet was mostly constituted of water and the earliest forms of life came into existence. Watch: Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars "It's just astonishing to think about the scale of activity in this region," said study author and planetary geologist at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart, while speaking to Space.com. "Seeing a Martian landscape shaped by these processes and preserved in stasis provides us with a great opportunity to investigate planetary landscape evolution in more detail,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Secrets of Earth’s lost past hidden in ancient volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so...

The hunt for extraterrestrial life on other planets has continued for years with scientists hoping to find slight evidence of the existence of life beyond the world.&nbsp;

Now while studying the tectonic activity, which took place around 4 billion years ago on Mars, the scientists found that there were 63 types of volcanoes which were strangely different from the rest of the Martian highlands.

A team of planetary scientists discovered that the landscape of the Eridania region of Mars, where these volcanoes were located, had been shaped in response to the changes which occurred within the crust of Mars.&nbsp;

The discovery is likely to influence the hunt for signs of alien life on Mars which is being studied by NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-congressional-budget-stalemate-forces-nasa-layoffs-mars-sample-return-mission-in-peril-688039">US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril</a>

"The large basins in this region once hosted a lake system known as the Eridania paleolake, which was up to around a mile deep when the lake was at its greatest extent," said team member and planetary geologist, who was at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart while speaking to Space.com. &nbsp;

"Long-lived volcanic sources next to abundant water may have fuelled hydrothermal systems that could have nurtured life. At the very least, these findings give us a larger number of places we can look for evidence of life," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>No volcanic or tectonic activity on modern-day Mars</h2>

Unlike the present-day Earth, Mars today has little or no volcanic and tectonic activity.&nbsp;

Additionally, since nearly half of the surface of Mars appears older than 3.5 billion years, it suggests that crustal recycling has not taken place extensively on the Red Planet.&nbsp;

The crustal recycling on planet Earth is driven by plate tectonics when one tectonic plate slips under another and leads to causing surface material to get recycled into the mantle between the crust of the Earth and its molten core.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars

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The team, which carried out this research, studied the mineralogy and morphology of the Mars' Eridania region with the use of data collected from spacecraft around the planet, which included the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.&nbsp;

"Various attributes of the Eridania region have drawn special attention for a while," said Cowart.&nbsp;

"Gamma-ray spectroscopy shows this to be a region of the crust with an especially distinctive composition, gravity data has shown it to be generally less dense and thicker than the rest of the Martian crust, and magnetic data shows it to be an intensely magnetized crust," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The hunt for extraterrestrial life on other planets has continued for years with scientists hoping to find slight evidence of the existence of life beyond the world.

The hunt for extraterrestrial life on other planets has continued for years with scientists hoping to find slight evidence of the existence of life beyond the world. Now while studying the tectonic activity, which took place around 4 billion years ago on Mars, the scientists found that there were 63 types of volcanoes which were strangely different from the rest of the Martian highlands. A team of planetary scientists discovered that the landscape of the Eridania region of Mars, where these volcanoes were located, had been shaped in response to the changes which occurred within the crust of Mars. The discovery is likely to influence the hunt for signs of alien life on Mars which is being studied by NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Also Read: US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril "The large basins in this region once hosted a lake system known as the Eridania paleolake, which was up to around a mile deep when the lake was at its greatest extent," said team member and planetary geologist, who was at the Planetary Science Institute Aster Cowart while speaking to Space.com. "Long-lived volcanic sources next to abundant water may have fuelled hydrothermal systems that could have nurtured life. At the very least, these findings give us a larger number of places we can look for evidence of life," he added. No volcanic or tectonic activity on modern-day Mars Unlike the present-day Earth, Mars today has little or no volcanic and tectonic activity. Additionally, since nearly half of the surface of Mars appears older than 3.5 billion years, it suggests that crustal recycling has not taken place extensively on the Red Planet. The crustal recycling on planet Earth is driven by plate tectonics when one tectonic plate slips under another and leads to causing surface material to get recycled into the mantle between the crust of the Earth and its molten core. Watch: Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars The team, which carried out this research, studied the mineralogy and morphology of the Mars' Eridania region with the use of data collected from spacecraft around the planet, which included the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. "Various attributes of the Eridania region have drawn special attention for a while," said Cowart. "Gamma-ray spectroscopy shows this to be a region of the crust with an especially distinctive composition, gravity data has shown it to be generally less dense and thicker than the rest of the Martian crust, and magnetic data shows it to be an intensely magnetized crust," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Alien life existed near ancient mile-deep lake, active volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars, Hyderabad man finds worm crawling in Cadbury chocolate, Custom's sniffer dog finds mummified

Elon Musk reveals 'Game Plan' to relocate millions people on Mars

US billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday (Feb 11) shared plans to relocate one million people to Mars, without providing any timeline for the same. Reacting to a post on his social media platform X, Musk wrote, “We are mapping out a game plan to get a million people to Mars."

He also hinted at creating a local, self-sustained ecological system on Mars that could survive without any support from Earth. "Civilisation only passes the single-planet Great Filter when Mars can survive even if Earth supply ships stop coming," the US billionaire added.

He said this in response to a post which said “Starship is the largest rocket ever built and it’ll take us to Mars”.

Musk also said a day will come when a trip to Mars will be taken as a flight to another country in modern times.

This comes after Musk, who is also the founder of company SpaceX, last week said that Starship should be able to make it to the moon in less than five&nbsp;years. Musk boasted that the SpaceX Dragon spaceship will take humans to the furthest they have been from Earth in over half a century. He said in January that SpaceX will be able to send humans to the Moon within the next eight years.

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars

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“What will things be like eight years from now…I think we will have landed on Mars and I think we will have sent people to the Moon,” Musk said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0PYgEJo0p2M7mabOEUolSg" data-ved="2ahUKEwjJ3tTl8KOEAxWY-TgGHYFyBaQQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-congressional-budget-stalemate-forces-nasa-layoffs-mars-sample-return-mission-in-peril-688039" jsname="YKoRaf">US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril</a>

Among SpaceX’s long-term plans for Moon include making a base there. “Humanity should have a moon base, cities on Mars and be out there among the stars,” as per the X owner.

“We should have a base on the moon, like a permanently occupied human base on the moon, and then send people to Mars. Maybe there’s something beyond the space station, but we’ll see,” he is believed to have said in the past.

(With inputs from agencies)

US billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday (Feb 11) shared plans to relocate one million people to Mars, without providing any timeline for the same. Reacting to a post on his social media platform X, Musk wrote, “We are mapping out a game plan to get a million people to Mars.

US billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday (Feb 11) shared plans to relocate one million people to Mars, without providing any timeline for the same. Reacting to a post on his social media platform X, Musk wrote, “We are mapping out a game plan to get a million people to Mars." He also hinted at creating a local, self-sustained ecological system on Mars that could survive without any support from Earth. "Civilisation only passes the single-planet Great Filter when Mars can survive even if Earth supply ships stop coming," the US billionaire added. He said this in response to a post which said “Starship is the largest rocket ever built and it’ll take us to Mars”. Musk also said a day will come when a trip to Mars will be taken as a flight to another country in modern times. This comes after Musk, who is also the founder of company SpaceX, last week said that Starship should be able to make it to the moon in less than five years. Musk boasted that the SpaceX Dragon spaceship will take humans to the furthest they have been from Earth in over half a century. He said in January that SpaceX will be able to send humans to the Moon within the next eight years. Watch: Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × “What will things be like eight years from now…I think we will have landed on Mars and I think we will have sent people to the Moon,” Musk said. Also read: US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril Among SpaceX’s long-term plans for Moon include making a base there. “Humanity should have a moon base, cities on Mars and be out there among the stars,” as per the X owner. “We should have a base on the moon, like a permanently occupied human base on the moon, and then send people to Mars. Maybe there’s something beyond the space station, but we’ll see,” he is believed to have said in the past. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk reveals ‘game plan’ to shift a million people to Mars

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by Caltech, has announced significant layoffs, affecting 8 per cent of its workforce, alongside additional contractor reductions.&nbsp;This decision comes due to funding uncertainties amidst the absence of a 2024 budget from Congress for the Mars mission, casting a shadow over one of NASA's most ambitious projects. With this NASA's quest to find&nbsp;out about any potential Martian life is now facing a substantial setback as congressional budget gridlock throws a wrench into its plans.

JPL Director Laurie Leshin conveyed the gravity of the situation in a sombre memo on Tuesday (Feb 6), acknowledging the lack of fiscal clarity and its consequential impact on the mission.

“Today I’m writing to share some difficult news," she wrote while adding, “While we still do not have an FY24 appropriation or the final word from Congress on our Mars Sample Return (MSR) budget allocation, we are now in a position where we must take further significant action to reduce our spending, which will result in layoffs of JPL employees and an additional release of contractors."&nbsp;

The layoffs will impact 530 people, in addition to another 40 contractors.&nbsp;

Despite prior directives from NASA regarding budget allocations, dwindling resources and ongoing budget constraints necessitated these drastic measures.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moons-serene-facade-is-hiding-a-turbulent-reality-reveals-nasa-funded-research-687981">Moon's serene facade is hiding a turbulent reality, reveals NASA-funded research</a>

The Mars Sample Return mission is hailed for its potential to unearth evidence of ancient Martian life. But now it has encountered these financial hurdles.

While the Perseverance rover successfully collected soil samples, the challenge of transporting them back to Earth looms large. With an estimated cost of billions, the mission faces scrutiny over its feasibility amidst constrained budgets.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/space-industry-bodies-from-india-and-australia-ink-pact-to-further-cooperation-687886">Space industry bodies from India and Australia ink pact to further cooperation</a>

According to the NASA Independent Review Board, the sample return would cost between $8 billion and $11 billion.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-putin-tightens-grip-on-internet-access-how-russians-are-evading-kremlins-eyes-688009">Putin Tightens Grip on Internet Access | How Russians Are Evading Kremlin's Eyes</a>

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The announcement of layoffs drew sharp criticism from Rep. Judy Chu, who condemned the move as "premature".

“I’m extremely disappointed with the impending JPL layoffs announced today, and my thoughts are with the workers who will be impacted and their families,” Chu said. “These cuts will devastate workers and Southern California in the short-term, and they hurt the long-term viability of not just our Mars Exploration Program but also many years of scientific discovery to come.”

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by Caltech, has announced significant layoffs, affecting 8 per cent of its workforce, alongside additional contractor reductions.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by Caltech, has announced significant layoffs, affecting 8 per cent of its workforce, alongside additional contractor reductions. This decision comes due to funding uncertainties amidst the absence of a 2024 budget from Congress for the Mars mission, casting a shadow over one of NASA's most ambitious projects. With this NASA's quest to find out about any potential Martian life is now facing a substantial setback as congressional budget gridlock throws a wrench into its plans. JPL Director Laurie Leshin conveyed the gravity of the situation in a sombre memo on Tuesday (Feb 6), acknowledging the lack of fiscal clarity and its consequential impact on the mission. “Today I’m writing to share some difficult news," she wrote while adding, “While we still do not have an FY24 appropriation or the final word from Congress on our Mars Sample Return (MSR) budget allocation, we are now in a position where we must take further significant action to reduce our spending, which will result in layoffs of JPL employees and an additional release of contractors." The layoffs will impact 530 people, in addition to another 40 contractors. Despite prior directives from NASA regarding budget allocations, dwindling resources and ongoing budget constraints necessitated these drastic measures. Also Read | Moon's serene facade is hiding a turbulent reality, reveals NASA-funded research The Mars Sample Return mission is hailed for its potential to unearth evidence of ancient Martian life. But now it has encountered these financial hurdles. While the Perseverance rover successfully collected soil samples, the challenge of transporting them back to Earth looms large. With an estimated cost of billions, the mission faces scrutiny over its feasibility amidst constrained budgets. Also Read | Space industry bodies from India and Australia ink pact to further cooperation According to the NASA Independent Review Board, the sample return would cost between $8 billion and $11 billion. Watch | Putin Tightens Grip on Internet Access | How Russians Are Evading Kremlin's Eyes × The announcement of layoffs drew sharp criticism from Rep. Judy Chu, who condemned the move as "premature". “I’m extremely disappointed with the impending JPL layoffs announced today, and my thoughts are with the workers who will be impacted and their families,” Chu said. “These cuts will devastate workers and Southern California in the short-term, and they hurt the long-term viability of not just our Mars Exploration Program but also many years of scientific discovery to come.” (With inputs from agencies)

US Congressional budget stalemate forces NASA layoffs, Mars sample return mission in peril

Four types of bacteria that can make humans sick on Earth may be able to survive and thrive under the harsh conditions of Mars if carried by the astronauts, according to a recent study published in the January version of Astrobiology.

The scientists placed&nbsp;colonies of Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens in a box that stimulated the Mars-like environment,&nbsp;with its lack of water, scant atmospheric pressure, deadly ultraviolet radiation and toxic salts.&nbsp;

These bacteria live harmlessly on us but can become pathogenic when stressed. Initially, scientists believed that regolith or soil imitating the Martian surface would have toxic effect in the cells and limit their growth.

However, to their surprise,&nbsp;they discovered its opposite effect on bacteria.&nbsp;Three of the species survived with&nbsp;Pseudomonas aeruginosa in particular growing steadily for up to three weeks.&nbsp;

Microbiologist Tommaso Zaccaria who performed the experiment and his colleagues are now attempting to figure out how microbes managed to hold onto their lives.&nbsp;

Zaccaria posits that the bacteria may have managed to find&nbsp;small oases with enough water in the crannies of the regolith which provided&nbsp;nutrients and protection from the deadly UV radiation.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-nasa-announces-plans-for-a-nuclear-rocket-555955">Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint: NASA announces plans for a nuclear rocket</a>

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<h2>Study results&nbsp;</h2>

The scientists said the result of the study should prompt human missions to Mars to bring plenty of different antibiotics to deal with&nbsp;disease-causing bacteria surviving and perhaps mutating before reinfecting the astronaut.&nbsp;

Additionally, human missions would not want to accidentally mistake a terrestrial bug for a native Martian one during the research to find life.&nbsp;

“At the end of the day, we want to move forward and explore our solar system more. We try our best and that ultimately will lead to some really beautiful discoveries and some really cool history," said&nbsp;Zaccaria, who recommends that certain areas of the Red planet should be set aside like national parks where only robotic vehicles can enter.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientist-claims-we-may-have-discovered-life-on-mars-50-years-ago-but-killed-it-accidentally-629871">Also read | A scientist claims that humans found life on Mars 50 years ago, and then killed it accidentally</a>

Humanity has been searching for life on planets other than our home base&nbsp;to see if we can become an interplanetary species. Mars has long been touted as a potential candidate where this could be possible.&nbsp;

Currently, the Perseverance rover is traversing the rough terrain of Mars. It is part of an international, interplanetary relay team created to unravel the secrets of our neighbourhood planet.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Four types of bacteria that can make humans sick on Earth may be able to survive and thrive under the harsh conditions of Mars if carried by the astronauts, according to a recent study published in the January version of Astrobiology.

Four types of bacteria that can make humans sick on Earth may be able to survive and thrive under the harsh conditions of Mars if carried by the astronauts, according to a recent study published in the January version of Astrobiology. The scientists placed colonies of Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens in a box that stimulated the Mars-like environment, with its lack of water, scant atmospheric pressure, deadly ultraviolet radiation and toxic salts. These bacteria live harmlessly on us but can become pathogenic when stressed. Initially, scientists believed that regolith or soil imitating the Martian surface would have toxic effect in the cells and limit their growth. However, to their surprise, they discovered its opposite effect on bacteria. Three of the species survived with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in particular growing steadily for up to three weeks. Microbiologist Tommaso Zaccaria who performed the experiment and his colleagues are now attempting to figure out how microbes managed to hold onto their lives. Zaccaria posits that the bacteria may have managed to find small oases with enough water in the crannies of the regolith which provided nutrients and protection from the deadly UV radiation. Watch | WION Fineprint: NASA announces plans for a nuclear rocket × Study results The scientists said the result of the study should prompt human missions to Mars to bring plenty of different antibiotics to deal with disease-causing bacteria surviving and perhaps mutating before reinfecting the astronaut. Additionally, human missions would not want to accidentally mistake a terrestrial bug for a native Martian one during the research to find life. “At the end of the day, we want to move forward and explore our solar system more. We try our best and that ultimately will lead to some really beautiful discoveries and some really cool history," said Zaccaria, who recommends that certain areas of the Red planet should be set aside like national parks where only robotic vehicles can enter. Also read | A scientist claims that humans found life on Mars 50 years ago, and then killed it accidentally Humanity has been searching for life on planets other than our home base to see if we can become an interplanetary species. Mars has long been touted as a potential candidate where this could be possible. Currently, the Perseverance rover is traversing the rough terrain of Mars. It is part of an international, interplanetary relay team created to unravel the secrets of our neighbourhood planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Bacteria that make us sick might survive and thrive on Mars, study shows

Mars exploration by humans using cutting-edge landers and rovers has led to the piling up of junk in space, a new map has revealed. There were two Soviet missions to the Red Planet in 1971 - Mars 2 and Mars 3. While Mars 2's orbiter successfully entered Mars orbit on November 27, 1971, its lander crashed during its descent. From that day till now,&nbsp;humans have been leaving their mark on Mars in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.

In the latest episode, Mars helicopter Ingenuity also suffered a setback as it was rendered incapable of flight.&nbsp;This incident has also contributed an additional 1.8 kilogrammes to the mounting pile of human-made debris on Mars.

The junk lying around Mars is massive, with more than seven tonnes of debris littering the Martian landscape. It includes all the discarded parachutes, and chunks of tyres, among others. Notably, amidst this debris, ongoing missions led by NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers,&nbsp;and China's Zhurong rover, are working to get signs of past or present life on the red planet.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/massive-clue-found-solving-why-80-pc-of-autoimmune-patients-are-women-686120">Massive clue found solving why 80 pc of autoimmune patients are women</a>

It is worth noting that operational rovers are not classified as space junk.

Dr. James Blake from the University of Warwick’s physics reportedly said, "It’s common for space missions to discard debris and rovers/helicopters sometimes come across debris fields while exploring."&nbsp;

"With current technology, there’s still an unfortunate balance that needs to be struck between scientific discovery and the impact of missions on the natural environment of these remote worlds," he said adding,&nbsp;"It’s important that future missions are designed with sustainability in mind to ensure that the human footprint is minimised."&nbsp;

<h2>What missions led to increased space junk on Mars?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

The junk is the result of many unfortunate missions that ended prematurely or malfunctioned. It includes the Mars 6 lander and Britain's Beagle 2, which miraculously resurfaced in 2015 on Mars after years of being missing in action.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hazardous-asteroid-6-times-wider-than-qutub-minars-height-to-fly-past-earth-on-feb-2-686104">‘Hazardous asteroid’ 6 times wider than Qutub Minar’s height to fly past Earth on Feb 2</a>

The journey of Mars exploration has witnessed both successes and setbacks. Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which exceeded their initial 90-day missions, provided groundbreaking insights into Mars' wetter past and its potential to sustain microbial life. Missions like NASA's ambitious Polar Lander were lost in 1999.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Mars exploration by humans using cutting-edge landers and rovers has led to the piling up of junk in space, a new map has revealed. There were two Soviet missions to the Red Planet in 1971 - Mars 2 and Mars 3.

Mars exploration by humans using cutting-edge landers and rovers has led to the piling up of junk in space, a new map has revealed. There were two Soviet missions to the Red Planet in 1971 - Mars 2 and Mars 3. While Mars 2's orbiter successfully entered Mars orbit on November 27, 1971, its lander crashed during its descent. From that day till now, humans have been leaving their mark on Mars in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. In the latest episode, Mars helicopter Ingenuity also suffered a setback as it was rendered incapable of flight. This incident has also contributed an additional 1.8 kilogrammes to the mounting pile of human-made debris on Mars. The junk lying around Mars is massive, with more than seven tonnes of debris littering the Martian landscape. It includes all the discarded parachutes, and chunks of tyres, among others. Notably, amidst this debris, ongoing missions led by NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, and China's Zhurong rover, are working to get signs of past or present life on the red planet. Also Read | Massive clue found solving why 80 pc of autoimmune patients are women It is worth noting that operational rovers are not classified as space junk. Dr. James Blake from the University of Warwick’s physics reportedly said, "It’s common for space missions to discard debris and rovers/helicopters sometimes come across debris fields while exploring." "With current technology, there’s still an unfortunate balance that needs to be struck between scientific discovery and the impact of missions on the natural environment of these remote worlds," he said adding, "It’s important that future missions are designed with sustainability in mind to ensure that the human footprint is minimised." What missions led to increased space junk on Mars? The junk is the result of many unfortunate missions that ended prematurely or malfunctioned. It includes the Mars 6 lander and Britain's Beagle 2, which miraculously resurfaced in 2015 on Mars after years of being missing in action. Also Read | ‘Hazardous asteroid’ 6 times wider than Qutub Minar’s height to fly past Earth on Feb 2 The journey of Mars exploration has witnessed both successes and setbacks. Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which exceeded their initial 90-day missions, provided groundbreaking insights into Mars' wetter past and its potential to sustain microbial life. Missions like NASA's ambitious Polar Lander were lost in 1999. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans have already dumped 7 tonnes of junk on Mars, map reveals

An analysis of data gained from NASA's rover Perseverance has reconfirmed a theory that scientists have been insisting on for years: Mars was once a warm, wet planet that may have housed microbial life. The data confirmed the existence of ancient lake sediments on Mars, which were created by a large water body on the planet. The large basin of water most likely existed in Jerezo Crater, according to the detailed study published Friday (Jan 26) in the journal Science Advances.

The research was led by teams from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Oslo.

<h2>What data was analysed?</h2>

The car-sized, six-wheeled rover trot down the Martian surface through several months of 2022 and conducted several subsurface scans on its way from the floor of the crater to an adjacent expanse of braided, sedimentary-like features resembling the river deltas found on Earth.

According to UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, the first author of the paper, soundings from the rover's RIMFAX radar instrument allowed scientists to peer underground to get a cross-sectional view of rock layers 65 feet (20 meters) deep, "almost like looking at a road cut."

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars

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The layers inside the surface hinted at irrefutable evidence of soil sediments being carried there by its delta from a river that once fed it billions of years ago. Scientists estimated the sediments could have been formed some 3 billion years ago.&nbsp;

But this is not the first time that data from the rover has been used to reach a similar conclusion.&nbsp;

<h2>Previous such derivations from rover data</h2>

Earlier in October 2023, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) had&nbsp;found more evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars.&nbsp;A team of researchers examining data collected by NASA's curiosity had&nbsp;deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. They have published their findings&nbsp;in Geophysical Research Letters.

"We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University.

Cardenas and his team reached this conclusion after analysing a combination of images from the Curiosity rover, scans of sedimentary rock beneath the Gulf of Mexico on Earth and several computer simulations.

You can read the detailed report <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-curiosity-rover-finds-evidence-mars-was-once-a-planet-of-rivers-651444">here</a>.

<h2>Major success for Mars exploration mission</h2>

The study serves as a reassuring confirmation that scientists chose the optimal location for their Mars exploration mission. Analysis conducted remotely on early core samples, extracted by Perseverance from four sites near its landing site in February 2021, yielded unexpected results. Instead of sedimentary rock, researchers discovered volcanic rock, adding a new dimension to their understanding of the Martian terrain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1w5-62ikq0ROpSVVOAqAKN" data-ved="2ahUKEwjU9rrVu_2DAxU_SmwGHVC3B-kQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-historic-ingenuity-helicopter-mission-on-mars-ends-heres-what-happened-683753" jsname="YKoRaf">NASA's historic Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars ends: Here's what happened</a>

The findings from the two studies complement each other rather than contradict. Even the volcanic rocks exhibited signs of alteration due to water exposure, leading scientists, who published their findings in August 2022, to speculate that sedimentary deposits may have eroded over time.

Moreover, recent radar readings from the RIMFAX instrument, reported on Friday, uncovered evidence of erosion both before and after the formation of sedimentary layers identified at the crater's western edge. According to Paige, these findings underscore the complex geological history of the area, shedding light on the dynamic processes shaping the Martian landscape.

(With inputs from agencies)

An analysis of data gained from NASA's rover Perseverance has reconfirmed a theory that scientists have been insisting on for years: Mars was once a warm, wet planet that may have housed microbial life.

An analysis of data gained from NASA's rover Perseverance has reconfirmed a theory that scientists have been insisting on for years: Mars was once a warm, wet planet that may have housed microbial life. The data confirmed the existence of ancient lake sediments on Mars, which were created by a large water body on the planet. The large basin of water most likely existed in Jerezo Crater, according to the detailed study published Friday (Jan 26) in the journal Science Advances. The research was led by teams from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Oslo. What data was analysed? The car-sized, six-wheeled rover trot down the Martian surface through several months of 2022 and conducted several subsurface scans on its way from the floor of the crater to an adjacent expanse of braided, sedimentary-like features resembling the river deltas found on Earth. According to UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, the first author of the paper, soundings from the rover's RIMFAX radar instrument allowed scientists to peer underground to get a cross-sectional view of rock layers 65 feet (20 meters) deep, "almost like looking at a road cut." Watch: Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × The layers inside the surface hinted at irrefutable evidence of soil sediments being carried there by its delta from a river that once fed it billions of years ago. Scientists estimated the sediments could have been formed some 3 billion years ago. But this is not the first time that data from the rover has been used to reach a similar conclusion. Previous such derivations from rover data Earlier in October 2023, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) had found more evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars. A team of researchers examining data collected by NASA's curiosity had deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. They have published their findings in Geophysical Research Letters. "We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. Cardenas and his team reached this conclusion after analysing a combination of images from the Curiosity rover, scans of sedimentary rock beneath the Gulf of Mexico on Earth and several computer simulations. You can read the detailed report here. Major success for Mars exploration mission The study serves as a reassuring confirmation that scientists chose the optimal location for their Mars exploration mission. Analysis conducted remotely on early core samples, extracted by Perseverance from four sites near its landing site in February 2021, yielded unexpected results. Instead of sedimentary rock, researchers discovered volcanic rock, adding a new dimension to their understanding of the Martian terrain. Also read: NASA's historic Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars ends: Here's what happened The findings from the two studies complement each other rather than contradict. Even the volcanic rocks exhibited signs of alteration due to water exposure, leading scientists, who published their findings in August 2022, to speculate that sedimentary deposits may have eroded over time. Moreover, recent radar readings from the RIMFAX instrument, reported on Friday, uncovered evidence of erosion both before and after the formation of sedimentary layers identified at the crater's western edge. According to Paige, these findings underscore the complex geological history of the area, shedding light on the dynamic processes shaping the Martian landscape. (With inputs from agencies)

How NASA’s rover is helping scientists find the truth about existence of life on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover has uncovered compelling evidence supporting the presence of ancient lake sediments formed by water within Mars' Jerezo Crater, a study published on Friday (Jan 26) revealed.&nbsp;

The Ground-penetrating radar observations by the robotic rover align with earlier orbital imagery, indicating that parts of Mars were once submerged in water, potentially fostering microbial life.

The research, led by teams from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Oslo, was published in the journal Science Advances.&nbsp;

With the rover's RIMFAX radar instrument, scientists probed underground layers up to 65 feet (20 meters) deep, unveiling sediment deposits resembling those in Earth's lakes.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The development affirmed the past of Mars as a warmer, wetter environment.

The sediments at Jerezo Crater, believed to have formed around 3 billion years ago, will be examined with closer observations once Perseverance collects samples for future transport to Earth.&nbsp;

The study's findings also complement earlier analyses of core samples that unexpectedly revealed volcanic rocks near the rover's landing site in February 2021.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-cosmos-nasa-releases-breathtaking-image-of-a-cosmic-christmas-tree-671532">Cosmic Christmas tree stuns ahead of holidays in new image shared by NASA</a>

Earlier in August 2022, researchers said that sedimentary deposits might have eroded over time.&nbsp;

The recent RIMFAX radar readings confirmed signs of erosion before and after the sedimentary layer formation.

Also watch |&nbsp;NASA James Webb Telescope captures stunning pictures of the universe | Science News | WION

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UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, the lead author of the study, expressed satisfaction with the discovery of lake sediments on the crater's delta.&nbsp;

"There were volcanic rocks that we landed on," Paige was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"The real news here is that now we've driven onto the delta and now we are seeing evidence of these lake sediments, which is one of the main reasons we came to this location. So that's a happy story in that respect."

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Perseverance rover has uncovered compelling evidence supporting the presence of ancient lake sediments formed by water within Mars' Jerezo Crater, a study published on Friday (Jan 26) revealed.

NASA's Perseverance rover has uncovered compelling evidence supporting the presence of ancient lake sediments formed by water within Mars' Jerezo Crater, a study published on Friday (Jan 26) revealed. The Ground-penetrating radar observations by the robotic rover align with earlier orbital imagery, indicating that parts of Mars were once submerged in water, potentially fostering microbial life. The research, led by teams from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Oslo, was published in the journal Science Advances. With the rover's RIMFAX radar instrument, scientists probed underground layers up to 65 feet (20 meters) deep, unveiling sediment deposits resembling those in Earth's lakes. What does it mean? The development affirmed the past of Mars as a warmer, wetter environment. The sediments at Jerezo Crater, believed to have formed around 3 billion years ago, will be examined with closer observations once Perseverance collects samples for future transport to Earth. The study's findings also complement earlier analyses of core samples that unexpectedly revealed volcanic rocks near the rover's landing site in February 2021. Also read | Cosmic Christmas tree stuns ahead of holidays in new image shared by NASA Earlier in August 2022, researchers said that sedimentary deposits might have eroded over time. The recent RIMFAX radar readings confirmed signs of erosion before and after the sedimentary layer formation. Also watch | NASA James Webb Telescope captures stunning pictures of the universe | Science News | WION × UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, the lead author of the study, expressed satisfaction with the discovery of lake sediments on the crater's delta. "There were volcanic rocks that we landed on," Paige was quoted as saying by Reuters. "The real news here is that now we've driven onto the delta and now we are seeing evidence of these lake sediments, which is one of the main reasons we came to this location. So that's a happy story in that respect." (With inputs from agencies)

Mars was once warm and wet, confirm ancient lake sediments found by NASA rover

After over three years, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter mission which&nbsp;made history by being the first powered flight on another world, has ended, said the American space agency&nbsp;on Thursday (Jan 25).&nbsp;

Ingenuity, which had surpassed expectations time and time again since its lift-off for the red planet on April 19, 2021, sustained mission-ending damage.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened?</h2>

In a statement, NASA said that the aircraft made an “emergency landing” during its previous flight and that Ingenuity’s team had planned for the helicopter to make a “short vertical flight” on January 18 to pinpoint its location.&nbsp;

As planned, the helicopter achieved a maximum altitude of 40 feet, but while landing, when it was around three feet off the ground, Ingenuity lost contact with the rover.&nbsp;

The following day when the imagery and data returned to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, it was found that “one or more of its rotor blades” were damaged.&nbsp;

Therefore, while the helicopter remained “upright and in communication with ground controllers,” it was “no longer capable of flight,” said the American space agency.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-loses-but-regains-contact-with-ingenuity-helicopter-on-mars-682066">NASA regains contact with Ingenuity helicopter on Mars after unexpected outage</a>

Ingenuity’s team is still investigating the cause of the communications dropout and the helicopter’s orientation at the time of touchdown.&nbsp;

“The historic journey of Ingenuity, the first aircraft on another planet, has come to end,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson&nbsp;in a statement.&nbsp;

He added, “Through missions like Ingenuity, NASA is paving the way for future flight in our solar system and smarter, safer human exploration to Mars and beyond.”

<h2>‘Exceeded expectations’</h2>

Ingenuity reached Mars in February 2021, and during its time there, it&nbsp;exceeded expectations time and time again. The helicopter performed 72 flights, flying more than 14 times farther than planned, 33 times longer than expected, operated from 48 different airfields, and logged in more than two hours of flight time.

Over the years, Ingenuity was upgraded with the ability to autonomously choose landing sites on the red planet’s treacherous terrain. It also dealt with a dead sensor, cleaned itself after dust storms, performed three emergency landings, and even made it through the frigid Martian winter.

“That remarkable helicopter flew higher and farther than we ever imagined and helped NASA do what we do best – make the impossible, possible,” said Nelson.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-moon-sniper-switched-off-space-agency-says-data-transmission-completed-682353">Japan's Moon sniper switched off, space agency says data transmission completed</a>

Ingenuity initially began as a short technology demonstration to show flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere. However, it went on to become Perseverance rover’s trusty sidekick, by previewing areas of the red planet that might be of interest.&nbsp;

“It’s humbling Ingenuity not only carries onboard a swatch from the original Wright Flyer, but also this helicopter followed in its footsteps and proved flight is possible on another world,” said Ingenuity’s project manager, Teddy Tzanetos of NASA JPL.

He added, “History’s first Mars helicopter will leave behind an indelible mark on the future of space exploration and will inspire fleets of aircraft on Mars – and other worlds – for decades to come.”

(With inputs from agencies)

After over three years, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter mission which made history by being the first powered flight on another world, has ended, said the American space agency on Thursday (Jan 25).

After over three years, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter mission which made history by being the first powered flight on another world, has ended, said the American space agency on Thursday (Jan 25). Ingenuity, which had surpassed expectations time and time again since its lift-off for the red planet on April 19, 2021, sustained mission-ending damage. What happened? In a statement, NASA said that the aircraft made an “emergency landing” during its previous flight and that Ingenuity’s team had planned for the helicopter to make a “short vertical flight” on January 18 to pinpoint its location. As planned, the helicopter achieved a maximum altitude of 40 feet, but while landing, when it was around three feet off the ground, Ingenuity lost contact with the rover. The following day when the imagery and data returned to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, it was found that “one or more of its rotor blades” were damaged. Therefore, while the helicopter remained “upright and in communication with ground controllers,” it was “no longer capable of flight,” said the American space agency. ALSO READ | NASA regains contact with Ingenuity helicopter on Mars after unexpected outage Ingenuity’s team is still investigating the cause of the communications dropout and the helicopter’s orientation at the time of touchdown. “The historic journey of Ingenuity, the first aircraft on another planet, has come to end,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. He added, “Through missions like Ingenuity, NASA is paving the way for future flight in our solar system and smarter, safer human exploration to Mars and beyond.” ‘Exceeded expectations’ Ingenuity reached Mars in February 2021, and during its time there, it exceeded expectations time and time again. The helicopter performed 72 flights, flying more than 14 times farther than planned, 33 times longer than expected, operated from 48 different airfields, and logged in more than two hours of flight time. Over the years, Ingenuity was upgraded with the ability to autonomously choose landing sites on the red planet’s treacherous terrain. It also dealt with a dead sensor, cleaned itself after dust storms, performed three emergency landings, and even made it through the frigid Martian winter. “That remarkable helicopter flew higher and farther than we ever imagined and helped NASA do what we do best – make the impossible, possible,” said Nelson. ALSO READ | Japan's Moon sniper switched off, space agency says data transmission completed Ingenuity initially began as a short technology demonstration to show flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere. However, it went on to become Perseverance rover’s trusty sidekick, by previewing areas of the red planet that might be of interest. “It’s humbling Ingenuity not only carries onboard a swatch from the original Wright Flyer, but also this helicopter followed in its footsteps and proved flight is possible on another world,” said Ingenuity’s project manager, Teddy Tzanetos of NASA JPL. He added, “History’s first Mars helicopter will leave behind an indelible mark on the future of space exploration and will inspire fleets of aircraft on Mars – and other worlds – for decades to come.” (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s historic Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars ends: Here’s what happened

A rock resembling the logo from Star Trek was discovered by NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. NASA's long-running Curiosity captured the image of a Mars rock that looks similar to the iconic delta-shaped Starfleet emblem that officers wear on their uniforms in the sci-fi series.

A rock resembling the logo from Star Trek was discovered by NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. NASA's long-running Curiosity captured the image of a Mars rock that looks similar to the iconic delta-shaped Starfleet emblem that officers wear on their uniforms in the sci-fi series. While it is illogical to say that a Starfleet landing party walked near Curiosity's roving grounds, Star Trek fans are thrilled to see the symbol on the Red Planet's surface. An amateur astronomer, Stuart Atkinson, spotted the Star Trek symbol and joked about it on X. He wrote, "I bet the Star Trek fans on the @MarsCuriosity team smiled like Cheshire Cats when they saw this new image appear on their screens." To this, an X user replied, "This must be their head office in mars.." ALSO READ | Rhesus monkey cloned using new technique different from what was used for Dolly the sheep NASA's Curiosity rover has been on Mars since 2012 and continues to capture and investigate the life there. Currently, it is climbing a mountain nicknamed Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons) as part of a mission to analyse the layers entrenched in it to know how water flowed on Mars several years ago. In September 2023, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory officials said, "Different layers of Mount Sharp represent different eras of Martian history. As Curiosity ascends, scientists learn more about how the landscape changed over time." The statement added that the rover was in a sulphate-packed zone, which might be "the highest elevation layer it will ever visit." ALSO READ | Chinese startup develops coin-sized nuclear battery that can last up to ‘50 years without charging’ According to the mission's blog, the rover captured the image of the Starfleet symbol when it was about to do "contact science on a flat block of dark-toned bedrock." The blog stated that one of its goals is to study the "composition and texture of the dark bands we've been observing from orbit" using various instruments. After the Curiosity rover's success at the Gale Crater, NASA sent a follow-up rover mission, named Perseverance, to the Jezero Crater on Mars in 2020. Perseverance aims to hunt for evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet. NASA also aims to launch another mission to bring the caches of rocks collected by Perseverance. However, funding and technology have pushed the expected return date to 2031. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars rock resembling iconic Star Trek symbol snapped by NASA’s Curiosity rover

Skywatchers in North America and some regions of South America will see Mercury, Mars and Venus line up in the sky on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday (Jan 9), a thin crescent moon, less than five per cent illuminated, will gather in the sky with three of our planet's closest neighbours in the solar system.

Skywatchers in North America and some regions of South America will see Mercury, Mars and Venus line up in the sky on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday (Jan 9), a thin crescent moon, less than five per cent illuminated, will gather in the sky with three of our planet's closest neighbours in the solar system. Venus, out of the three planets, will shine the brightest during the morning twilight. Mars will be less visible, requiring binoculars to see it near the horizon in the morning. Meanwhile, Mercury will be bright at around magnitude zero. In areas with low light pollution, it would be possible to have an unobstructed view of the horizon. At such places, one can view this gathering of planets without an optical aid. Venus would be the first to rise around 2.5 hours before the sunrise. To locate the evening star, find the brightly shining pale yellow planet in the early morning sky in the southeast direction. Mercury will rise roughly an hour after Venus, appearing on the Moon's left. Half an hour before sunrise, Mars will be visible above the horizon. On Monday (Jan 8), Mercury reached its highest point in the morning sky, elevating to some 16 degrees above the southeastern sky. ALSO READ | Peregrine Mission One: Private mission to land on Moon suffers ‘anomaly’ after entering safe operational state The innermost planet also reached the greatest elongation from the Sun on the same day. For skywatchers, it is the right opportunity to catch sight of the elusive planet, which only appears a few weeks a year during the greatest elongation. Furthermore, like Mercury, Mars is elusive this time of the year, as it will not rise high above the horizon. Even on Tuesday (Jan 9), it would be hard to spot the red planet, as it will be less than ten degrees above the horizon. However, Venus will be a beacon in the morning sky until it fades from the Northern Hemisphere's southern latitudes around May 2024. It will reappear as an evening apparition in June 2024. While using binoculars or a telescope to observe the trio of these planets alongside Earth's Moon, never look in the rising Sun's direction through an optical aid or with the naked eye. The planets will appear close to where the Sun will be rising. Avoid risking damage to your eyes and check sunrise timings in your area. (With inputs from agencies)

Cosmic alignment: Mercury, Venus and Mars to meet Moon on January 9 morning

We know about planet Mars but perhaps many of us don't know that the red planet has an atmosphere. Not only this, storms take place on its surface fairly regularly. It's true that the Martian atmosphere is much thinner than the one we have here on Earth, it sure is novelty to many when they come to know about it for the first time.

Now United Arab Emirates' Mars mission has found out that thinner atmosphere or not, Martian storms can cause changes on the planet's surface that are discernible even from the orbit around the planet. UAE's Hope Mission has found that storms caused changes in thickness on the Martian surface that were detected by the Hope probe in orbit around the Mars.&nbsp;

A paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets a couple months ago described the observations made by the Hope probe before and after a Martian storm in 2022.

The infrared spectrometer of the Hope probe detected changes in surface thickness of dust cover on the Martian surface from the orbit. The probe observed changes in several regions of Mars.

On Friday (Dec 29), the Hope Mission also posted an animation about this.

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In this animation, EXI captures images before and after the dust storm, unveiling discernible alterations on the surface. <a href="https://t.co/gaj0RiUfi2">pic.twitter.com/gaj0RiUfi2</a>
— Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) <a href="https://twitter.com/HopeMarsMission/status/1740723033101439349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"Although the regional dust storm was active over all the regions of interest, we found that dust may have been removed and subsequently deposited with varying levels of intensity in the regions sampled," said the researchers in their paper.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-juno-spacecraft-captures-breathtaking-images-of-jupiters-volcanic-moon-in-closest-ever-encounter-676097">These closest-ever photos of Jupiter's moon blasting lava will give you cold shivers</a>

The probe found that some regions of the Mars experienced net removal of dust as high as 340 micrometres resulting in changes in surface temperatures which could be detected from the orbit.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-snapshot-of-oldest-spiral-galaxy-reveals-seismic-wave-similar-to-ripples-in-water-675973">New snapshot of oldest spiral galaxy reveals seismic wave similar to ripples in water</a>

The probe also found that some regions experienced net deposition of dust up to 120 micrometres.

"Visible-wavelength imagery from the Emirates Exploration Imager, which is more sensitive to changes in surface dust distribution, is incorporated in our analysis to provide additional context," said the researchers in their paper.&nbsp;

They said that the estimated suggested "dust reservoirs are capable of transporting vast quantities of dust over short timescales."

(With inputs from agencies)

We know about planet Mars but perhaps many of us don't know that the red planet has an atmosphere. Not only this, storms take place on its surface fairly regularly.

We know about planet Mars but perhaps many of us don't know that the red planet has an atmosphere. Not only this, storms take place on its surface fairly regularly. It's true that the Martian atmosphere is much thinner than the one we have here on Earth, it sure is novelty to many when they come to know about it for the first time. Now United Arab Emirates' Mars mission has found out that thinner atmosphere or not, Martian storms can cause changes on the planet's surface that are discernible even from the orbit around the planet. UAE's Hope Mission has found that storms caused changes in thickness on the Martian surface that were detected by the Hope probe in orbit around the Mars. A paper published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets a couple months ago described the observations made by the Hope probe before and after a Martian storm in 2022. The infrared spectrometer of the Hope probe detected changes in surface thickness of dust cover on the Martian surface from the orbit. The probe observed changes in several regions of Mars. On Friday (Dec 29), the Hope Mission also posted an animation about this. In this animation, EXI captures images before and after the dust storm, unveiling discernible alterations on the surface. pic.twitter.com/gaj0RiUfi2 — Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) December 29, 2023 × "Although the regional dust storm was active over all the regions of interest, we found that dust may have been removed and subsequently deposited with varying levels of intensity in the regions sampled," said the researchers in their paper. Also Read | These closest-ever photos of Jupiter's moon blasting lava will give you cold shivers The probe found that some regions of the Mars experienced net removal of dust as high as 340 micrometres resulting in changes in surface temperatures which could be detected from the orbit. Also Read | New snapshot of oldest spiral galaxy reveals seismic wave similar to ripples in water The probe also found that some regions experienced net deposition of dust up to 120 micrometres. "Visible-wavelength imagery from the Emirates Exploration Imager, which is more sensitive to changes in surface dust distribution, is incorporated in our analysis to provide additional context," said the researchers in their paper. They said that the estimated suggested "dust reservoirs are capable of transporting vast quantities of dust over short timescales." (With inputs from agencies)

Storm on Mars: UAE probe detects significant dust mobilisation

Mars and everything around it have remained a topic of fascination for humanity since antiquity. The red planet, the hue of which is visible even with the naked eye has been a god, a planet of aliens, a planet of invaders and whatnot. Scientific study over decades has led to the conclusion that Mars indeed had water on its surface millions of years ago and possibly life. But conclusive proof of the latter is still to be found. But scientists are sure that Mars was a watery world once upon a time.

Perseverance, NASA's rover that's roaming on the Martian surface carrying out important observations, recently found evidence of gushing water.

NASA released a photo earlier this month. The image, captured by Prserverance's Mastcam-Z camera, shows a curious collection of rocks and pebbles strewn around in Mars' Jezero Crater.

Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space

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The exact location? 'Castell Henllys' in the Jezero Crater. NASA has said that the rocks and pebbles visible in the photo were brought in by 'strong flood waters billions of years ago'.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-captures-mysterious-spokes-on-rings-of-saturn-672959">NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn</a>

Among the important objectives of the Perseverance mission are those that deal with Astrobiology, which involves conclusive evidence of life on another planet.

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The 'life' may not always be the antenna-bearing aliens we've come to know through popular media but even conclusive proof of micro-organisms, or their fossils on Mars will be a groundbreaking discovery.

<h2>Why do we always search for water on other planets?</h2>

The answer is around us on our own planet. After the lifeless phase Earth endured in the very early years of its formation, life started in water in the form of microorganisms which then led to the formation of complex aquatic organisms. Scientists believe that animals and plants on land developed afterwards.

It is then almost a given that if a planet has water, there are greater chances of it developing life forms. Other than Mars, one of the favourite candidates for search for life is Europa, the satellite of Jupiter. Europa is a frozen world and scientists believe that there is a vast liquid ocean below the thick ice cover which may harbour life.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mars and everything around it have remained a topic of fascination for humanity since antiquity. The red planet, the hue of which is visible even with the naked eye has been a god, a planet of aliens, a planet of invaders and whatnot.

Mars and everything around it have remained a topic of fascination for humanity since antiquity. The red planet, the hue of which is visible even with the naked eye has been a god, a planet of aliens, a planet of invaders and whatnot. Scientific study over decades has led to the conclusion that Mars indeed had water on its surface millions of years ago and possibly life. But conclusive proof of the latter is still to be found. But scientists are sure that Mars was a watery world once upon a time. Perseverance, NASA's rover that's roaming on the Martian surface carrying out important observations, recently found evidence of gushing water. NASA released a photo earlier this month. The image, captured by Prserverance's Mastcam-Z camera, shows a curious collection of rocks and pebbles strewn around in Mars' Jezero Crater. Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space × The exact location? 'Castell Henllys' in the Jezero Crater. NASA has said that the rocks and pebbles visible in the photo were brought in by 'strong flood waters billions of years ago'. Also Read | NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn Among the important objectives of the Perseverance mission are those that deal with Astrobiology, which involves conclusive evidence of life on another planet. Also Read | How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer The 'life' may not always be the antenna-bearing aliens we've come to know through popular media but even conclusive proof of micro-organisms, or their fossils on Mars will be a groundbreaking discovery. Why do we always search for water on other planets? The answer is around us on our own planet. After the lifeless phase Earth endured in the very early years of its formation, life started in water in the form of microorganisms which then led to the formation of complex aquatic organisms. Scientists believe that animals and plants on land developed afterwards. It is then almost a given that if a planet has water, there are greater chances of it developing life forms. Other than Mars, one of the favourite candidates for search for life is Europa, the satellite of Jupiter. Europa is a frozen world and scientists believe that there is a vast liquid ocean below the thick ice cover which may harbour life. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Perseverance rover finds evidence of flowing water on Mars

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