Space Science
Martian permafrost may hide veins of habitable liquid water
New calculations suggest that Mars's frozen subsurface could contain networks of narrow liquid water channels large enough to support microbial life. These veins, formed in permafrost, might exist in regions with high salt content that prevents freezing. Researchers argue this could be a promising site for searching extraterrestrial life.
Martian volcanoes may have delivered ice to equator
Scientists propose that explosive volcanic eruptions billions of years ago transported water from Mars's interior to its equatorial regions, forming thick ice layers beneath the surface. This mechanism explains radar-detected ice in the planet's hottest area without relying on shifts in Mars's axial tilt. The discovery could aid future human missions by providing accessible water resources.
Study suggests moon's largest crater formed from northern impact
A new analysis indicates that the moon's South Pole-Aitken basin, its oldest and largest crater, likely formed from an asteroid impact originating from the north rather than the south. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the moon's early history. The discovery could enhance the value of NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission to the basin's rim.
Scientists uncover reversed electric field in earth's magnetosphere
Researchers have discovered that Earth's magnetosphere carries a reversed electric charge on its morning side, contrary to long-held assumptions. Satellite data and simulations reveal negative charges there instead of positive, with the pattern flipping near the equator. This finding, led by teams from Japanese universities, explains plasma motion's role in shaping space weather.