Mars
A European research team has developed a system of three robots to autonomously explore lava tunnels on the Moon and Mars, which could serve as protected bases for astronauts. The technology was tested successfully in volcanic caves on Lanzarote, Spain, demonstrating its potential for mapping underground environments. This mission concept aims to shield explorers from radiation and meteorite impacts.
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NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered bright white rocks made of kaolinite clay in Jezero Crater, suggesting Mars once experienced millions of years of rainfall in warm, humid conditions. These aluminum-rich clays, similar to those formed in Earth's tropical rainforests, imply the planet had abundant water and potentially habitable environments long ago. The scattered rocks puzzle scientists about their origins, possibly from floods or impacts.
Sedimentary rocks in Mars' Gale crater suggest the planet once had a much larger moon capable of generating tides in its ancient lakes. Researchers analyzed layered formations imaged by NASA's Curiosity rover, proposing this moon was 15 to 18 times the mass of current moon Phobos. While the idea revives tidal theories, some experts question whether the small crater lakes could support such activity.
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Fresh imagery from ESA's Mars Express orbiter has exposed signs of a past ice age in the Coloe Fossae region of Mars. These features include glacial-like patterns in valleys and craters, hinting at climate shifts that spread ice far from the poles. The findings suggest this icy period ended as recently as 500,000 years ago.