MARSDAILY - SKY NIGHTLY

NASA and ESA agree on next steps to return Mars samples to Earth

Oct 28, 2022 (JPL)

This cache will contain samples from carefully selected rocks on the surface of Mars - samples that can help tell the story of Jezero Crater's history and how M...

ANU scientists use deep planetary scan to confirm Martian core

Oct 28, 2022 (SPX)

The scanning method, which works in a similar way to an ultrasound scan using sound waves to generate images of a patient's body, requires only a single seismom...

Traces of ancient ocean discovered on Mars

Oct 28, 2022 (SPX)

"What immediately comes to mind as one the most significant points here is that the existence of an ocean of this size means a higher potential for life," said ...

A close encounter with a mysterious moon

Oct 28, 2022 (ESA)

But it was excitement, rather than fear and panic, that characterised the close encounter with Phobos made by ESA's Mars Express spacecraft in the run up to Hal...

Meteorite impact provides a glimpse beneath Mars' surface

Oct 28, 2022 (SPX)

This is the first time that a meteorite impact on another planet has been recorded both photographically and seismically. To the surprise of scientists, large a...

Meteorite that smashed into Mars shook planet

Oct 27, 2022 (AFP)

On December 24, 2021, a meteorite hit Mars' surface, triggering magnitude 4 tremors, which were detected by NASA's InSight spacecraft -- which landed on the pla...

Trying to Avoid Nodules: Sols 3633-3634

Oct 27, 2022 (JPL)

So the Sol 3633 plan starts with a couple APXS integrations on "Balata," a bedrock exposure with fewer nodules than other blocks in front of the rover. Then Che...

Ancient bacteria might lurk beneath Mars' surface

Oct 26, 2022 (SPX)

In a first-of-its-kind study, a research team, including Northwestern University's Brian Hoffman and Ajay Sharma, found that ancient bacteria could survive clos...

Considerations for microbial survivability of ionizing radiation on Mars for sample returns

Oct 26, 2022 (SPX)

In a new study, scientists examine the effects of desiccation and freezing on microbial ionizing radiation survivability on Mars. The study is published in the ...

Driving on the Sidewalk, MARDI-Style: Sols 3630-3632

Oct 25, 2022 (JPL)

We found some lovely bedrock in our workspace this morning, close enough to touch with APXS and MAHLI. The main bedrock slab (lower left in the above image) has...

A hydrogen-rich first atmosphere for Mars inferred from clays on its surface

Oct 21, 2022 (SPX)

In a recent study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, a team of researchers, including several from Arizona State University, found that Mars's ea...

Why NASA is trying to crash land on Mars

Oct 21, 2022 (JPL)

NASA has successfully touched down on Mars nine times, relying on cutting-edge parachutes, massive airbags, and jetpacks to set spacecraft safely on the surface...

Celebrating Halloween and investigating ghoulish rocks from the Red Planet

Oct 21, 2022 (JPL)

Over the course of Perseverance's time on Mars, multiple images captured by the Mastcam-Z instrument aboard the Rover have garnered special attention from the w...

Curiosity reaches long-awaited salty region on Martian mountainside

Oct 20, 2022 (JPL)

Scientists hypothesize that billions of years ago, streams, and ponds left behind the minerals as the water dried up. Assuming the hypothesis is correct, these ...

New Site, New Sights, New Science: Sols 3628-3629

Oct 20, 2022 (JPL)

We're staring the first sol with the first of the arm maneuvers, allowing APXS to get a look at a bedrock target called 'Pacu.' Pacu will also be the subject of...

Packing up at the Canaima drill site: Sols 3626-3627

Oct 19, 2022 (JPL)

One planned activity is to analyze the Canaima drill tailings, the pile of material that was excavated by the drill hole. ChemCam will analyze the drill tailing...

Life may have thrived on early Mars, until it drove climate change that caused its demise

Oct 19, 2022 (SPX)

Most Mars experts agree that the planet started out with an atmosphere that was much denser than it is today. Rich in carbon dioxide and hydrogen, it would have...

Things that go bump in the night on Mars!

Oct 17, 2022 (JPL)

But have no fear: this isn't a ghostly monster or a vengeful Martian, but rather Perseverance going about its regular business! In general, Perseverance carries...

Sols 3621-3622: Planetary Power Puzzle

Oct 13, 2022 (JPL)

Necessary aside: molecular compounds considered essential to life are not biosignatures themselves and many can also be formed from geologic processes. However,...

NASA's InSight waits out dust storm

Oct 10, 2022 (JPL)

The mission carefully monitors the lander's power level, which has been steadily declining as dust accumulates on its solar arrays. By Monday, Oct. 3, the storm...