Mars
Linking Local Lithologies to a Larger Landscape
Linking Local Lithologies to a Larger Landscape The NASA Mars Perseverance rover is exploring a boundary visible from orbit that divides bright, fractured outcrop from darker, smoother regolith on Mars. The rover has encountered several olivine-bearing rocks while traversing the rim of Jezero crater, which may provide clues to their origins and help understand Mars’ […]
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Advances in NASA Imaging Changed How World Sees Mars
Advances in NASA Imaging Changed How World Sees Mars NASA’s Mariner 4 mission in 1965 captured the first-ever close-up image of Mars, leading to a steady stream of advances in camera technology. The Viking 1 orbiter in 1980 captured stunning images of Valles Marineris, the “Grand Canyon of Mars,” and paved the way for future […]
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NASA Mars Orbiter Learns New Moves After Nearly 20 Years in Space
NASA Mars Orbiter Learns New Moves After Nearly 20 Years in Space NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been performing new maneuvers to squeeze more science out of its nearly 20-year operations, including large rolls that enable it to look deeper underground. The MRO’s SHARAD instrument can now have a deeper view of the Martian […]
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Curiosity Blog, Sols 4580-4581: Something in the Air…
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4580-4581: Something in the Air… Curiosity Rover’s latest activities (Sols 4580-4581): The rover conducted a series of scientific experiments, including APXS measurements and ChemCam observations, to analyze the Martian atmosphere and rocks. The rover used its Left Navigation Camera to capture images of rock targets with potential cross-cutting veins, such as “Hornitos” […]
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Is Mars really red? A physicist explains the planet’s reddish hue and why it looks different to some telescopes
Is Mars really red? A physicist explains the planet’s reddish hue and why it looks different to some telescopes Mars’ reddish hue comes from iron oxide in rocks and dust covering its surface, not just blood as ancient cultures believed. The planet’s color can vary depending on the location, with most of Mars appearing rusty […]
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Sols 4561-4562: Prepping to Drill at Altadena
Sols 4561-4562: Prepping to Drill at Altadena The Curiosity rover is preparing to drill at Altadena, a location chosen for its potential chemistry and geological features. The rover will conduct a “preload test” to determine if the drilling process will be successful and if the target rock has the desired chemistry. Due to power constraints, […]
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Searching for Ancient Rocks in the ‘Forlandet’ Flats
Searching for Ancient Rocks in the ‘Forlandet’ Flats The NASA Perseverance rover has entered the “Forlandet” quadrangle, a flat terrain area outside Jezero Crater on Mars, where it will search for ancient rocks that could be among the oldest ever observed. The science team hopes to find rocks with olivine and carbonate formations, which could […]
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NASA Mars Orbiter Captures Volcano Peeking Above Morning Cloud Tops
NASA Mars Orbiter Captures Volcano Peeking Above Morning Cloud Tops NASA’s Mars Orbiter Captures First-Ever Panorama of Arsia Mons Volcano Poking Above Morning Clouds The image was captured by NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter on May 2, 2025, while studying the Red Planet’s atmosphere, offering a unique perspective of Mars’ horizon. Arsia Mons, one of […]
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Early visions of Mars: Meet the 19th-century astronomer who used science fiction to imagine the red planet
Early visions of Mars: Meet the 19th-century astronomer who used science fiction to imagine the red planet Camille Flammarion was a 19th-century astronomer who used science fiction to imagine life on Mars, making him one of the first scientists to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In his book “The Planet Mars” (1892), Flammarion created […]
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Sols 4559-4560: Drill Campaign — Searching for a Boxwork Bedrock Drill Site
Sols 4559-4560: Drill Campaign — Searching for a Boxwork Bedrock Drill Site The NASA Curiosity rover has decided to collect a drill sample from the outer edge of the boxwork-forming geologic unit, as geochemical measurements suggest changes in mineralogy. However, the team was unable to find a suitable spot for drilling due to fractured or […]
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