At surface of Marsa cold and desolate world, strange things were observed formations that resemble giant spiders. These structures, which have been called “Mars spiders,” have been the subject of debate among scientists and amateurs for years.
But recently, we got even more revealing images that raise the question: what are these mysterious figures on Martian soil really?
Exploring the red planet
For decades, the European Space Agency (ESA) has played a key role in exploring this intriguing world, beginning in 1996 with the launch of the probe Mars Express. This space mission has been orbiting Mars for more than 20 years, providing valuable information about its surface and its mysteries.
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One of the mission’s most surprising discoveries Mars Express was the discovery of the enigmatic “spiders” of Mars in 2004. However, now, a new probe known as the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), launched in 2016 and also from ESA, has captured telltale traces of “spiders” spread across the surface of the south polar region from Mars.
What are the famous “spiders” on Mars?
Spiders on Mars are not living beings, but geological formations that form during the Martian spring. During winter, cold temperatures allow carbon dioxide (CO2) to condense and settle on the surface as a layer of ice.
With the arrival of spring, the sun heats the surface icy planet and the Frozen CO2 sublimates, changing from gaseous to solid. This process generates immense pressure under the ice sheet, causing eruptions that create branching channels on the surfacesimilar to the spiders we know on our planet.
They are very large formations
At first glance, Martian “spiders” may look like our terrestrial arachnids, but they have a clear distinction: they can reach considerable sizes. Some specimens extend several kilometers wide, with dimensions varying between 45 meters and 1 kilometer. Therefore, these structures are visible from space and have been photographed by several space missions.
Where were they found?
“Spiders” on Mars were discovered in surroundings of a region known as Inca Cityarea identified in 1972 by the probe Mariner 9 from NASA. Although the Inca City was discovered more than 50 years ago, its “spiders” remained hidden until the arrival of the Inca’s high-resolution stereo camera. Mars Express.
If you are wondering what the exact origin of the Inca Cityit remains a mystery, although it is speculated that it may be related to cosmic impacts and volcanic activity.
Geological features, such as circular “walls” 86 km in diameter, indicate the possibility of a crater formed by the impact of a space object.
What implications does this discovery have for the habitability of Mars?
The presence of these “spiders” on Mars, although not evidence of extraterrestrial life, provides valuable information about the climatic and geological conditions of the red planet. Understanding these processes can help scientists determine whether Mars was ever habitable or whether it could sustain life today.
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The “spiders” of Mars are a reminder of the complexity and beauty of the universe. Although these formations are not living beings, their existence invites us to continue exploring the mysteries of the red planet and look for signs of life beyond Earth.
