All articles tagged with #planetary exploration
NASA's Curiosity rover discovered pure elemental sulfur in a Martian rock, a surprising find that suggests unknown geological processes, and continues to explore the ancient waterway of Gediz Vallis, revealing new insights into Mars's history and potential habitability.
A new study models Venus's surface wind and dust conditions using limited data, revealing regional differences in temperature swings and wind patterns, which will aid future missions like DaVINCI, Envision, and Veritas in preparing for surface conditions and potential dust storms.
A new study models Venus's surface wind and dust conditions using limited data, revealing regional differences in temperature swings and wind patterns, which will aid upcoming missions like DaVINCI, Envision, and Veritas in understanding the planet's environment.
Several upcoming missions to Venus are planned for the next decade, including NASA's DAVINCI and VERITAS, ESA's Envision, Rocket Lab's Venus Life Finder, and India's Venus Orbiter Mission, aiming to study Venus's atmosphere, surface, and geological history, despite some missions facing potential cancellations due to budget constraints.
NASA's Perseverance rover found speckled rocks on Mars that could potentially be evidence of past life, based on their unique coloration and formation, representing the clearest sign of life ever detected on the planet.
Scientists tested autonomous robots in a lava cave on Lanzarote to evaluate their potential for exploring subsurface lava tubes on Mars and the Moon, which could serve as protective habitats for future human bases. The field trials demonstrated successful mapping and autonomous navigation, although challenges remain before such robots can be used for extraterrestrial exploration.
NASA's recent rover failures may have been caused by a misjudgment in how lunar and Martian soil behaviors are modeled during testing, with new research suggesting that current Earth-based tests do not accurately account for the effects of low gravity on soil properties, potentially leading to overestimations of rover mobility and the need for more sophisticated physics-based simulations in future missions.
A new analysis of Martian surface features reveals that dark, finger-like stripes are caused by dry dust avalanches driven by wind and impacts, not water, reshaping our understanding of Mars' surface processes and climate.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has learned to perform large backward rolls to improve radar observations of Mars' subsurface water-ice, enhancing its ability to explore regions previously out of reach, which is vital for future human missions and understanding Mars' climate history.
NASA's Curiosity rover discovered pure elemental sulfur in a rock on Mars, a first on the planet, suggesting unknown geological processes. The find, along with the surrounding area rich in sulfur-like objects, raises questions about Mars's geological history and the presence of sulfur in its environment, which is vital for life. The discovery was accidental when the rover cracked open the rock, revealing the surprising mineral, and ongoing analysis aims to understand how sulfur accumulated there.
The article explores 19th-century astronomer Camille Flammarion's imaginative and scientific visions of Mars, highlighting his blend of astronomy, science fiction, and philosophical ideas about the red planet as a potentially ancient and advanced world, reflecting broader societal hopes and curiosity about extraterrestrial life.
Australian researchers have used storm-generated seismic waves from North Atlantic cyclones to probe Earth's core, revealing a novel method that could also be applied to study the interiors of other planets and moons without quakes, using specially designed seismometer arrays in remote Australia.
The article explores 19th-century astronomer Camille Flammarion's imaginative and scientific work on Mars, highlighting his belief in the planet's potential for life, his detailed maps, and his science fiction novels that envisioned spiritual journeys to Mars, reflecting broader societal hopes and curiosity about the red planet.
New AI analysis suggests that the dark streaks on Mars, previously thought to be caused by water, are likely formed by wind and dust, which could influence future exploration and search for signs of life.
New AI analysis suggests that the dark streaks on Mars, previously thought to be caused by flowing water, are more likely formed by wind and dust, which could influence future exploration and the search for signs of ancient life.