Mars

A manned mission to Mars. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Neil deGrasse Tyson: A manned mission to Mars is impractical at this point

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In his recent podcast, he explains why distance, launch windows, radiation, and the rocket equation make “The Road to Mars” a project that requires decades of technological and political stability.
The world in 2050. Illustration: Avi Blizovsky via DALEE.

The journal "Nature" looks to 2050: Nuclear fusion, Mars, and "lightless" laboratories – and it all depends on politics

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The prestigious journal marks the decisive junctures: the climate crisis and the response to it, the race for artificial intelligence infrastructure, questions of public trust and science funding, and the ability to transform breakthroughs into systems that work at scale.
Detection of electrical discharges in dust plumes by the SuperCam instrument on the Mars Perseverance rover. Credit: Nicolas Sarter

Scientists have discovered electrical sparks on Mars that could rewrite our knowledge of its atmosphere

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Electric sparks within dust plumes on Mars have been discovered for the first time, and they are changing our understanding of the planet's atmosphere and climate.
Simulation of a manned base on Mars, in a cross-sectional image of the underground base. Source: NASA Ames Research Center.

Scientists have detected hidden water ice on Mars: a game-changer for manned missions

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New research reveals shallow ice deposits on Amazonis Planitia in the mid-latitudes of Mars – a critical resource for water, oxygen and fuel that could enable long-term human presence and preserve possible evidence of ancient life
This image of Jezero Crater on Mars shows a layer of mineral data measured from orbit. The green color represents carbonates – minerals that form in aqueous environments under conditions that may be favorable for preserving signs of ancient life. NASA's Perseverance rover is currently studying the green area above the Jezero alluvial fan (center). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/JHU-APL

How Earth's most resilient microorganisms could help us colonize Mars

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Scientists are beginning to unravel how microbial systems, shaped by billions of years of evolution on Earth, might be recruited to build the first shelters on Mars. By examining how certain bacteria communicate,
A family of settlers on Mars. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A pair of bacteria could turn Martian dust into building material for the first colonists

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A new study in Frontiers in Microbiology suggests a biomineralization system of two bacterial species, Sporosarcina pasteurii and Chroococcidiopsis, that could produce "biological concrete" from Martian soil, provide oxygen, and contribute to closed agricultural systems and human colonization efforts.
A photograph of Comet i3/Atlas from Mars orbit.

NASA Sums Up Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Passage: A “Frozen Fossil” from an Alien Solar System

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A fleet of spacecraft and telescopes – from Hubble and James Webb to spacecraft orbiting Mars – tracked comet 3I/ATLAS, the third to reach us from outside the solar system, and discovered a composition and geometry different from local comets but

Blue Origin launched NASA's ESCAPADE to Mars – landing the New Glenn heavy launcher on a drone ship for the first time

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After delays due to weather and solar storms, the heavy-lift launcher lifted off from Cape Canaveral, placed a pair of NASA satellites in orbit and successfully returned the booster to Jacklyn – a milestone in the competition with SpaceX.
The orbit of Comet 3I/ATLAS in the solar system. NASA illustration

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS crossed the orbit of Mars this week – a rare window for cosmic research

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NASA and ESA spacecraft are taking advantage of the proximity to Mars to study the comet's chemical composition; perihelion is expected on October 30 and will lead to a peak in activity
An image of NASA's Preservation spacecraft observing the aurora borealis. Credit: Avi Blizovsky, via DALEE

The Perseverance rover once again recorded the aurora borealis on Mars

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Researchers present a second visible-light observation of Martian aurora and a new method for predicting it – with scientific implications and future preparation for astronauts
NASA's Perseverance spacecraft captured this selfie, made up of 62 individual images, on July 23, 2024. A rock called Chiave Falls—where features have been found that may indicate whether Mars was once home to microscopic life—is visible to the left of the spacecraft, near the center of the image. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Signs of life on Mars? Geologists warn: It may be non-biological processes

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Case Western Reserve University researchers are cooling the enthusiasm for the Mars Perseverance rover's discoveries, emphasizing that the spotted rocks found may have been formed by geological processes – not by microorganisms.
A labeled version of "Chiaba Falls" shows the leopard spots that captivated scientists, along with the presence of olivine in the rock. The image was taken on July 18 by the WATSON instrument on the rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

The Perseverance probe has detected possible clues to ancient life on Mars.

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A rock sample from Jezero Crater reveals "tiger spots" and unique chemical patterns that may be a sign of ancient life. These are materials that on Earth originate from biological phenomena, but they can also be formed by non-biological processes
A prototype Mars rover built by students at Tel Aviv University. Photo: Tel Aviv University

From Tel Aviv University to Mars

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A group of students from the Fleischmann Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University initiated, designed, and built a space rover – as part of the TAUverIL project led by Prof. Yoram Reich and Danny Berko, with the aim of participating in an international competition in Poland.
The outer solar system is bathed in cosmic radiation. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Cosmic radiation may fuel hidden life on Mars and beyond

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The study proposes a new definition: the "radiolitic habitable zone" - in contrast to the classic "habitable zone" (the region around a star that allows liquid water to exist on the surface), the radioolitic habitable zone focuses on places where water exists.
A new breakthrough in bioengineering could bring the realization of habitation on Mars closer not by sending materials from Earth but by growing them from local soil. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Scientists have created "living bricks" for building houses on Mars

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Using synthetic lichens, a team of researchers has succeeded in developing a living material that connects Martian dust into stable structures – without the need for building materials from Earth and without human intervention.
The evolution of the Martian landscape: from red to a blue-green planet with water and vegetation. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Landing on Mars is no longer science fiction – this is what it could look like

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Early Mars, as it may have been billions of years ago. A new study claims that most of its water was locked underground. Credit: Ittiz/Wikimedia Commons

Disappearance within two hundred years: How Mars hid its days underground

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Researchers estimate that a significant portion of Mars' water was locked in underground aquifers after a seepage process that lasted tens to hundreds of years.
The Europa Clipper spacecraft is using Mars' gravity to accelerate its way to Jupiter's mysterious moon. Credit: NASA

Europa Clipper uses Mars' gravity to accelerate its way to Jupiter's mysterious moon

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NASA's Europa Clipper probe has performed a gravity maneuver around Mars on its way to Jupiter's moon Europa, to investigate whether it might be home to extraterrestrial life.
A view of the Utopia Planitia region on Mars which is believed to be the site of an ancient ocean. ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA

Scientists discover 3 billion-year-old beach buried on Mars

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Researchers have found evidence of a beach on the Utopia Plain on Mars, strengthening the hypothesis that an ocean once covered a large part of the planet and its influence may have been evident for a longer time than previously thought.
TGO took this image on November 3, 2023. At its center is Cerberus Fossae (163.07°E, 9.25°N) Credit: ESA

Meteor collides with Mars: Seismic waves shake the Red Planet

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TGO image from November 3, 2023 reveals impact effects in Cerberus Fossae region, deepening understanding of Martian tremors and seismic effects
Korolev crater on Mars in a close-up view, showing an ice center and surrounding rocks.

Why is it hard to find liquid water on Mars, even more than we thought?

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A new study reveals the complexity of the presence of liquid water on Mars, emphasizing the cold conditions and atmospheric pressure that challenge its existence, despite decades of research on the subject
The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft will perform an acceleration maneuver near Mars and also explore it. Figure: European Space Agency.

The engines of the spacecraft Hera were ignited on its journey towards the asteroid Didymus

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Hera - the European Space Agency's asteroid exploration mission will once again reach the asteroid it visited and which was diverted by the DART spacecraft
Carl Sagan extends his palms to the universe, an attempt at creating an image using artificial intelligence.

Carl Sagan's scientific legacy goes far beyond the Cosmos series

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From the revolutionary astronomical achievements to the social activism and inspiration for generations of scientists - how Carl Sagan shaped science and our understanding of the universe.
This view of Belva Crater was created using data collected by the Mars Perseverance rover on April 22, 2023. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

The lost atmosphere of Mars has been discovered hidden in its clay

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Mars was not always the cold, desolate desert we see today. There is more and more evidence that water once flowed across the surface of the Red Planet, necessitating the existence of a thick atmosphere, but suddenly
Earthquakes on Mars. The image was prepared using DALEE for illustration only and is not a scientific image

Seismic waves on Mars: A new way to discover water hidden deep below the surface of Mars

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Scientists are exploring the potential of using seismoelectric signals from Martian tremors to detect underground water on Mars, a method inspired by similar techniques on Earth but adapted to the unique conditions of Mars
An astronaut exercises in space to keep fit and healthy. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Will astronauts' kidneys survive a round trip to Mars?

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The results showed that both human and animal kidneys undergo "remodeling" by the conditions in space, with specific renal tubules responsible for calibrating calcium and salt balance showing signs of shrinkage after less than a month
This groundbreaking idea proposed by Prof. Liu's team allows a single astronomical telescope in the Earth's magnetosphere to function as a gravitational wave signal detector. Credit: HKUST

Astrophysicists harness planetary power to explore the universe's greatest mysteries

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Observing the universe using gravitational waves poses significant technological challenges, especially in the investigation of the frequency range above one kilohertz, the astronomers are technologically assisted in the magnetosphere of planets to detect the gravitational waves

The wind, the sand and the water: a new explanation for the phenomenon of sand dunes on Earth and Mars

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Gallons = small waves. A new international study led by Ben-Gurion University has challenged the prevailing theory that different physical conditions allow the development of galleons that do not exist on Earth
Curiosity's rear Hazcam recorded the shadow of the rover's rear in a 12-hour view toward the Gale Basin floor. Several factors caused several artifacts in the image, including a black spot, the sun's distorted appearance, and rows of white pixels extending from the sun. NASA/JPL-Caltech

Viewing a full day on Mars, sunrise to sunset

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Curiosity's rear Hazcam recorded the shadow of the rover's rear in a 12-hour continuous view from sunrise to sunset toward the Gale Basin floor
This illustration shows an idea of ​​several robots that would connect to Earth to deliver samples collected from the surface of Mars by NASA's Mars Perseverance rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

What is NASA planning for the ambitious Mars sample return mission?

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In addition to bringing the first sample collected from Mars to Earth, this very complex mission will include the first launch from the soil of another planet, and also the first rendezvous in orbit around another planet. Returning the samples from Mars
The Indian lander Vircam as photographed from the Paragain robotic vehicle. Photo by the Indian Space Agency ISRO

Surprising presence of sulfur in the soil of the South Pole of the Moon by the Indian robotic vehicle Paragain in the Chandrayaan-3 mission

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The vehicle discovered a wide variety of heavy elements, but this is the first evidence of the presence of sulfur * The rover will tour the south pole of the moon for two weeks and look for signs of water ice
This illustration shows a simulation of how NASA's Mars Rover, carrying test tubes containing rock and soil samples, might be launched from the surface of Mars during one phase of the Mars sample return mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA chose Lockheed Martin Space to build the rocket that will return the first samples from Mars

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The contract brings NASA one step closer to the first robotic round-trip flight to bring samples safely to Earth through the Mars Sample Return Program
A composite image showing some of the types of fossil-like specimens formed by chemical reactions that can be found on Mars. Credit: Sean McMahon, Julie Cosmidis and Joti Rouillard

Life on Mars - or simulated fossils?

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The capsule containing NASA's persistence vehicle and rover Ingenuity guides itself toward the Martian surface as it descends through the atmosphere. Hundreds of critical events must be executed perfectly and precisely as the capsule lands safely on Mars on February 18, 2021. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

Update: The Mars Preservation vehicle with a helicopter glider in it landed safely - live broadcast

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The autonomous landing of Persistence (Preservation) is supposed to be the most precise landing of a spacecraft on Mars to date
Tianwen-1 - Illustration illustrating the rover, lander and all-terrain vehicle of the first Chinese mission to Mars. Figure CNSA

The Chinese Tianwan-1 spacecraft has successfully entered orbit around Mars

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Tianwen-1 makes China the sixth country in history to reach Mars. The fifth country to do so is the United Arab Emirates whose spacecraft, Hope, entered orbit around the Red Planet yesterday
The launch of the Tianwen-1 spacecraft to Mars. Photo: Chinese Space Agency

China launched a spacecraft to Mars, including a vehicle for field research of the planet's surface

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Transferring the HOPE spacecraft to Japan for launch. Photo: UAE Space Agency

The UAE spacecraft took off to Mars tonight

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Artist's rendering shows the Mars Helicopter, a small autonomous rotorcraft that will travel with NASA's Mars 2020 vehicle mission to demonstrate the viability and potential of heavier-than-air vehicles on the Red Planet. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA's Mars copter will be the first spacecraft on another planet. This is how it will reach the soil of the Red Planet

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The Chinese spacecraft Hushing is expected to be launched to Mars in July 2020. Image: China Space Agency

Chinese spacecraft to Mars

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Wet Mars, billions of years ago, and Mars today. NASA figure, based on data transmitted by the MAVEN spacecraft

Mars: Interim Summary of MAVEN Spacecraft Findings  

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60 Saarlink satellites at launch on May 24, 2019. Photo: SpaceX. From Wikipedia

Elon Musk tweeted via communications from the tiny low-altitude Starlink Internet satellite

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Jezero crater area on Mars, containing an ancient river delta. A photograph composed of images of several instruments located in spacecraft orbiting Mars, primarily MRO. Photo: NASA

NASA Announces Mars 2020 Mars Rover Landing Site: An Ancient River Delta

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Opportunity's panoramic camera (Pancam) took the images that make up this display, from its position outside the Endeavor Crater during the period between June 7 and June 19, 2017. On the right side of the image you can see a wide slot on the summit of the western rim of the crater. This is Perseverance Valley where she is today. Credits: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Cornell / Arizona State University.

NASA has lost contact with the Mars Rover Opportunity

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Illustration of a human expedition to Mars. Credit: NASA

Sorry, Elon Musk, but now it's clear that colonizing Mars is unlikely - and it's a bad idea

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A futuristic water pipeline serving human settlement on Mars. Illustration: shutterstock

A vast reservoir of liquid water has been discovered beneath the surface of Mars

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The intensification of the dust storm on Mars as photographed by the Mars rover Curiosity located inside Gale Crater and looking at the crater wall. The photos were taken during June 2018

The Martian dust storm becomes a global phenomenon

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Alon Shikar (right) and Jackie Faye, two of the astronauts who spent four days in an analog Mars simulator in the Mitzpe Ramon area. Photo: Avi Blizovsky

For the information of travelers to Mars

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Simulation of the InSight lander to Mars. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

The MARS INSIGHT spacecraft was successfully launched to explore the Martian soil

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The landing stages of Shipriley on Mars, as planned by the European Space Agency. Figure: ESA

"Accidents in space are inevitable. We should learn from them but not be deterred"

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Mount Sharp in Gale Crater on Mars, which has been explored by NASA's Curiosity rover since 2012. Source: NASA.

Could there be life on the surface of the planet Mars?

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