MARTIAN “SPIDERS”? SATELLITE SPOTS NEW STRUCTURES ON THE PLANET
News Mania desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/3rd May 2024
Images captured by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission have unveiled captivating formations on the Martian surface resembling ‘spiders’, although the reality behind these formations is more complex than meets the eye.
The Mars Express orbiter has transmitted images revealing dark spots scattered across the planet’s surface. Contrary to initial impressions, these features are not indicative of biological activity or geological anomalies. Instead, they are a consequence of seasonal changes driven by the planet’s unique climate dynamics.
These dark spots emerge as a result of the interaction between frozen carbon dioxide and sunlight during the Martian spring. Over the course of the dark winter months, layers of carbon dioxide accumulate on the planet’s surface. As spring arrives and sunlight penetrates the frozen layers, the carbon dioxide sublimates into gas, exerting pressure that ruptures the ice above. In the process, dark material is propelled to the surface, creating the distinctive spider-like formations captured in the images.
Ranging in size from 45 meters to 1 kilometer wide, these dark spots offer a glimpse into the dynamic processes shaping the Martian landscape. Many of these formations are located near a region informally dubbed Inca City, owing to its striking resemblance to the intricate ridges found in the ruins of the Inca civilization in Peru, South America.
The Mars Express mission has not only provided insights into these enigmatic surface features but has also yielded other remarkable discoveries. In 2022, the orbiter captured imagery of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the solar system, which surpasses the Grand Canyon in the United States by a factor of five. This monumental canyon, stretching across vast expanses of Martian terrain, serves as a testament to the planet’s geological diversity and complexity.
Initiated by the European Space Agency, the Mars Express mission represents a significant milestone in space exploration. Designed to investigate the mysteries of Mars, it marks the agency’s inaugural planetary mission. The mission’s name, “Express,” reflects both the efficiency with which the spacecraft was developed and the relatively short duration of its interplanetary journey, facilitated by optimal alignment between Earth and Mars orbits.
Comprising the Mars Express Orbiter and Beagle 2 lander, the mission aimed to conduct comprehensive research on Mars’ geological, atmospheric, and potentially habitable conditions. Although the Beagle 2 lander encountered deployment issues upon reaching the Martian surface, the orbiter has since thrived in its scientific endeavors.
Equipped with advanced instruments, the Mars Express orbiter has facilitated high-resolution imaging, mineralogical mapping, radar sounding of subsurface structures, atmospheric analysis, and the study of interplanetary interactions. These scientific endeavors have deepened our understanding of Mars’ past and present conditions, shedding light on its potential for supporting life and offering valuable insights into planetary evolution and dynamics.
As the Mars Express mission continues to unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet, each discovery brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of our neighboring world and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration in the cosmos.
