Explore

Russian-Led Team Suggests Ongoing Volcanic Activity on Mars, Implications for Life Search

Russian-Led Team Suggests Ongoing Volcanic Activity on Mars, Implications for Life Search

A Russian-led research team has presented new evidence suggesting that Mars may still harbor volcanic activity beneath its surface, despite the absence of observed eruptions. The study, published in Science Advances, focuses on repeated detections of hydrogen chloride (HCl) concentrated near Alba Mons, an ancient Martian volcano. The researchers propose that this gas could be seeping from underground magma chambers. The HCl was detected by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), a joint project between the European Space Agency and Russia's Roscosmos. The team, co-led by Aleksandr Trokhimovsky of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Daniel Mege of the Polish Academy of Sciences, also identified recent, narrow fractures in the area, some less than a meter wide. These fissures are believed to provide pathways for volcanic gases to escape into the atmosphere. The study suggests that gas escaping from underground magma could become trapped beneath ice during colder months and then r...

Orbiter Detects Signs of Recent Volcanic Activity on Mars, Implications for Ancient Life

Orbiter Detects Signs of Recent Volcanic Activity on Mars, Implications for Ancient Life

An international team of researchers, utilizing data from the European and Russian ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter collected in 2021, has found evidence suggesting recent volcanic activity on Mars. The orbiter detected hydrogen chloride gas emissions, which scientists believe are being released from hot magma deep beneath the Martian surface. This discovery is supported by the identification of intriguing new fissures, thousands of feet in length, along the flanks of Alba Mons, the largest volcano on Mars by surface area. These fissures exhibit discolorations, which researchers hypothesize are mineral deposits left by seeping gases, similar to volcanic gas vents on Earth. This research challenges the long-held belief that Mars is geologically dead, indicating it may have retained enough internal heat to support volcanic activity until recently, and possibly still does. The findings were detailed in a new paper published in the journal Science Advances.

Teghaza 001 Meteorite, a 'Rosetta Stone' for Early Mars, Discovered in Sahara Desert

Teghaza 001 Meteorite, a 'Rosetta Stone' for Early Mars, Discovered in Sahara Desert

A NASA-funded study has confirmed that the Teghaza 001 meteorite, an 800-gram rose-colored rock found in the Sahara Desert in 2022, originated from Mars over 4.1 billion years ago. This rare meteorite is considered a pristine fragment of the Red Planet’s primordial crust and is one of approximately 435 confirmed Martian meteorites on Earth. Researchers describe it as a geological 'Rosetta Stone' for early Mars. The meteorite crystallized from cooling magma in the Martian crust during the planet’s Noachian era. Spectroscopic and mineralogical data from the meteorite align with observations from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), pointing to 13 potential source areas, primarily in the heavily cratered southern highlands of Mars. It was ejected into interplanetary space following a massive asteroid or comet impact before eventually intersecting Earth’s orbit. Oxygen isotope analysis at the University of New Mexico confirmed its Martian origin.

Astronomers spot white dwarf star with two rings of planetary debris

Astronomers spot white dwarf star with two rings of planetary debris

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Billions of years from now, the sun is expected to run out of fuel and greatly expand into what is called a red giant, eventually shedding its outer layers and leaving behind its dense core, a white dwarf.

ExoMars Orbiter Detects Volcanic Gas Leakage from Mars's Largest Volcano, Alba Mons

ExoMars Orbiter Detects Volcanic Gas Leakage from Mars's Largest Volcano, Alba Mons

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) has detected localized pulses of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas emanating from fracture systems on the flanks of Alba Mons, Mars's largest volcano by surface area. This discovery, published in Science Advances on November 4, provides the first atmospheric chemistry evidence suggesting that Alba Mons may still be geologically active, challenging the long-held assumption that it is extinct. The HCl detections occurred during the Martian spring and summer, leading researchers to propose a 'seasonal pressure-valve' effect, where subsurface gases build up during winter under carbon dioxide frost and are released as the frost sublimates. The instrument used, the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS), is significantly more sensitive than previous thermal surveys, allowing for the detection of trace gases at concentrations 100 times fainter.

NASA Scientists Uncover Martian 'Rosetta Stone' Meteorite, Revealing Ancient Water History

NASA Scientists Uncover Martian 'Rosetta Stone' Meteorite, Revealing Ancient Water History

Scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California have analyzed Teghaza 001, a 4.1-billion-year-old Martian meteorite discovered in the Sahara Desert. This meteorite, weighing approximately 1.8 pounds (800 grams), is one of the three oldest Martian meteorites ever found. Its unique mineral composition and textures provide evidence of Mars' complex geological history, particularly its interaction with water. Researchers identified the meteorite as Martian through its oxygen isotopes and determined its age using a specialized rubidium-strontium dating technique on tiny zircon crystals. The analysis revealed that Teghaza 001 was altered by water around 4.1 billion years ago, indicating the rock itself formed even earlier. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the formation of Mars' early crust and how volcanic materials were altered by water, resembling materials observed in Mars' southern highlands by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Siberian burial site reveals ancient use of cannabis as an intoxicant

Siberian burial site reveals ancient use of cannabis as an intoxicant

By Will Dunham Nov 5 (Reuters) - A Siberian burial mound from the ancient Scythian culture dating to 2,800 years ago has yielded the oldest-known evidence for the use of cannabis for its mind-altering effects, with scientists finding its seeds among the grave goods and human hair bearing its

US proposes space launch rule changes in potential boost for SpaceX

US proposes space launch rule changes in potential boost for SpaceX

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The US Federal Aviation Administration proposed on Thursday streamlining regulations for commercial space launches and re-entries and said it plans to overhaul its space licensing framework next year, a potential boost for Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff

NASA's Curiosity Rover Captures Martian Dawn, Prepares for Yardang Layer Exploration

NASA's Curiosity Rover Captures Martian Dawn, Prepares for Yardang Layer Exploration

NASA's Curiosity rover captured a six-image panorama of Mount Sharp's yardang layer on Mars during dawn on August 11, 2026. The images, taken by the Mastcam at 8:30 a.m. local time on the mission's 4,982nd Martian day, provide the most detailed view to date of these wind-carved rock formations. Mount Sharp, also known as Aeolis Mons, stands 3.4 miles (5.5 km) tall within Mars' 96-mile-wide (154 km) Gale Crater. Since 2014, Curiosity has ascended approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) up its stratified slopes, analyzing each geological layer. Scientists are particularly interested in the yardang layer because its color and orientation differ from the surrounding material, suggesting it may have formed from volcanic ash that was subsequently sculpted by wind. The Curiosity rover is expected to reach the base of this yardang layer in 2027 to conduct further investigations.

Mercury contamination found at more ancient Maya sites

Mercury contamination found at more ancient Maya sites

By Will Dunham Nov 6 (Reuters) - For the ancient Maya, the vibrant red mineral cinnabar held deep sacred meaning, representing blood, life and the soul. They used it widely as pigment in murals and temples while also employing it in ceremonies and funerary rites.

SpaceX Starship Program Advances with Flight 15 Preparations and Cape Canaveral Launch Site Development

SpaceX Starship Program Advances with Flight 15 Preparations and Cape Canaveral Launch Site Development

SpaceX's Starship program is making significant progress, with Flight 15 hardware ready for launch and the development of a second launch site at Cape Canaveral nearing completion. Booster 22 and Ship 42, components for Flight 15, have successfully cleared static fire tests, indicating a consistent operational rhythm for SpaceX. This flight also marks the beginning of a permanent Raptor 3 engine reliability upgrade program, integrating lessons from previous flights into the production baseline. The first Starship launch from Cape Canaveral's LC-39A is anticipated in the coming months, with construction progressing on the tank farm, SLC-37 tower, and other infrastructure. Additionally, Starbase is now processing multiple vehicles simultaneously, stacking Ships 43 through 45 and Booster 24 in parallel, demonstrating an increased cadence in production.