According to the European Space Agency, a unique phenomenon has been detected on Mars that could be confused with spiders scurrying across the planet’s surface.
He ESA said in a press release that one of its Mars Express orbiter captured images of the “spiders,” which are actually small, dark-colored features that begin to form when sunlight hits carbon dioxide deposited during the planet’s winter months. The light causes carbon dioxide ice at the bottom of the deposits to turn into gas, which eventually breaks up ice that can be up to a meter thick, launching dust in geyser-like explosions before settling to the surface, he said. the space agency. .
ESA/TGO/CaSSIS
While the spots may look small from space, they are actually quite large. The ESA said the patches are as small as 145 feet wide, and at their largest point could be more than half a mile wide. Beneath those large spots, the arachnid-like pattern is carved under the carbon dioxide ice, the ESA said.
The spider patterns were observed by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which launched in 2016 and has been studying Mars for signs of possible past life. Most of the dark spots captured by the orbiter appear on the outskirts of a part of Mars nicknamed “Inca City” because of its “linear, almost geometric network of ridges” reminiscent of Inca ruins. The area, discovered in 1972 by a NASA probe, is also known as Angustus Labyrinthus and is near the planet’s southern polar cap.
ESA/DLR/FU Berlin
It is unclear how the area formed, the ESA said. Suggestions include sand dunes that turned to stone over time, or materials like magma or sand showing through the rock.
Mars is currently experiencing spring weather, according to nasa. NASA’s Curiosity rover has been enjoying the warmest weather on the planet, the agency said in a news release, working on environmental monitoring and exploring Mars’ Gale Crater.