in ,

Life Found On Mars – Spacecraft Spots ‘Spiders’ Crawling On The Surface Of The Red Planet

Source: Adobe Stock / ESA/TGO/CASSIS

The European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Mars Express recently captured striking images of what appeared to be a multitude of “spiders” moving around the southern polar region of Mars. However, the formations are not actual arachnids but rather a distinctive geological feature found on the surface of Mars.

ESA’s Recent Post On X

In their latest post, the ESA, asked the question, “Spiders on Mars?”

Source: X/European Space Agency

The post went on to state that those weren’t real spiders. The post said, “No, these dark spots, seen by ESA’s Mars Express on the outskirts of an area nicknamed ‘Inca City’ in the southern polar region of Mars, have a more ‘down to Earth’ explanation…”

The Phenomenon That Led To The Formations

According to a press release from the ESA, the Mars Express orbiter recently photographed the “spiders,” which are actually just small, dark features. These formations take shape when sunlight hits carbon dioxide deposits that accumulate over the cold winter months.

Source: ESA/TGO/CASSIS

The sunlight triggers the transformation of the carbon dioxide ice at the base of the deposits and turns it into gas. Eventually, this gas erupts through the ice, which can be as thick as three feet. This creates geyser-like blasts of dust that settle on the planet’s surface.

Not As Small As They Appear From Space

Although these spots may appear small when viewed from space, they are quite large. According to the ESA, these patches can range in size from as small as 145 feet wide to potentially over half a mile wide at their largest.

Source: ESA

The ESA stated that under the larger spots, the arachnid-like pattern get etched into the surface beneath the carbon dioxide ice.

The Spider Patterns Were Detected by The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

The spider patterns were detected by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter that was launched in 2016 to investigate Mars for potential signs of previously existent life.

Source: Wikimedia/Pline

Most of the dark spots identified by the orbiter are situated on the periphery of a planet’s region dubbed as “Inca City.”

Resemblance To The Incan Ruins

The “Inca City” region of Mars is recognized for its linear, almost geometric ridges resembling the iconic Incan ruins.

Source: Wikimedia/Eduardo Manchon

Originally spotted by a NASA probe in 1972, the “Inca City” area, also known as Angustus Labyrinthus, is located near the southern polar cap of the planet.

Scientists Don’t Know Yet How Inca City Was Formed

Researchers haven’t been able to understand yet how Inca City was formed.

Source: ESA

According to different hypotheses proposed so far, the Inca City formation may stem from the gradual petrification of sand dunes or the leakage of magma through fracture’s in Mars’ surface.

The Curious Features Of Inca City

Inca City showcases a plethora of interesting features, including enigmatic swirls reminiscent of marble patterns. It also has mounds with flat tops and hills with steep sides and flat summits, reaching heights exceeding 1500 meters above the adjacent landscape.

Source: ESA

Additionally, the images revealed a ground blanketed in light-colored smooth-textured dust.

Another Alternative Theory Offers A Different Explanation

According to another alternative theory, Inca City could reside within the remnants of an ancient impact crater, where the aftermath of the collision may have led to the formation of faults in the nearby region.

Source: ESA

Subsequently, the leaking of lava through these faults could have sculpted the distinctive walls of the Inca City structure

The Spiders Aren’t The Only Peculiar Formation On Mars’ Surface

The spiders aren’t the only peculiar formations on the surface of Mars. In 2015, Mars’ Curiosity rover captured an odd spoon-shaped rock.

Source: Picryl NASA Public Domain Image Collection

Back in 1976, the American Viking 1 orbiter and lander photographed a bizarre face-like feature on the planet’s surface.

Scientists Tested The Hypothesis Of How The Spiders Were Formed By Replicating The Phenomenon In A Laboratory

In 2021, scientists tested out the hypothesis of how the spiders were formed by replicating the phenomenon in a laboratory.

Source: Pexels

Scientists achieved success in recreating miniature versions of Martian spiders by employing dry ice and a special machine that can effectively simulate the atmosphere of Mars.

Statement Explaining How The Scientists Replicated The Phenomenon In A Laboratory

In 2021, Open University planetary scientist and lead study author Lauren McKeown, explained the conclusions of the experiment in a statement.

Source: Pexels

McKeown wrote, “The experiments show directly that the spider patterns we observe on Mars from orbit can be carved by the direct conversion of dry ice from solid to gas.”

Spring-Like Weather On Mars

NASA reports that Mars is presently encountering weather that resembles spring-time.

Source: Wikimedia/Jcpag2012

NASA also stated in a news release that its Curiosity Rover has been relishing the milder conditions on the planet, engaging in environmental surveillance and exploring Mars’ Gale Crater.

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Has Consistently Been Detecting Methane On Mars

From 2012 onwards, NASA’s Curiosity rover has consistently been detecting methane on Mars.

Source: Wikimedia/Intel Free Press

Methane is more prominently present in the vicinity of Mars’ landing site within the 96-mile-wide (154 kilometers) Gale Crater.

Erratic Behavior Of Methane On Mars

The behavior of methane on Mars has been quite erratic. The gas emerges solely at night and it fluctuates with the seasons. Methane sporadically surges to levels 40 times greater than what’s normal.

Source: Wikimedia/Space Science

All this adds to the mystery as the gas is not significantly present in the upper atmosphere or Mars. It has also not been detected close to the surface in other regions of the Red Planet.

What do you think?

200 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar

Written by Sally Reed

Leave a Reply

Avatar

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Animal Thought to Be Extinct for 200 Years Shows Up in Ohio

Artifacts Show Humans Took Shelter in Saudi Arabia Lava Tube More Than 7,000 Years #2