Mars

Latest about Mars

A section of Mars’s surface showing a broad area covered with dense, elongated ridges and grooves that fan out diagonally across the image. The terrain is rough and textured in this region, contrasting with the smoother, lighter-coloured surrounding plains. The overall colour is a mix of tan and reddish-brown tones.

Mars orbiter sees odd etchings in the sand | Space photo of the day for Jan. 20, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

Even though the Red Planet's atmosphere is thin, wind is still one of Mars' most relentless sculptors.

Mars

Was the Red Planet once blue? New evidence points to an ancient ocean on Mars

By Charles Q. Choi published

Ancient shoreline features hint that water on Mars once formed a vast ocean.

Mars
Artist’s illustration of NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, which is investigating how, why and when Mars lost most of its atmosphere.

After a month of no answer, NASA will try hailing its silent MAVEN Mars orbiter today

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

MAVEN was built to last in orbit until 2030 — that's not looking likely anymore.

Mars
A photo of Earth (left) and Mars (right) against a dark background. Earth is bigger and white clouds float among blue oceans while Mars as a few white clouds dotting its reddish brownish surface

How Mars 'punches above its weight' to influence Earth's climate

By Keith Cooper published

"Without Mars, Earth's orbit would be missing major climate cycles. What would humans and other animals even look like if Mars weren't there?"

Mars
A computer modeled image of a red crater filled with blue-gray water.

How Mars' ancient lakes grew shields of ice to stay warm as the Red Planet froze

By Keith Cooper published

The findings potentially solve the paradox of how liquid water seems to have persisted on Mars even when the climate grew too cold.

Mars
An illustration of a Martian lander with hexagonal solar panels faced toward the top of the image and shooting off a small metal cylinder with a beam of yellow light headed for the top right of the image

Experts push back against cancellation of NASA's Mars sample return project

By Leonard David published

Exploration advocates are pushing back against the planned cancellation of NASA's Mars sample return project, saying it could potentially find evidence of Red Planet life.

Mars
a circular machine on four legs launches a small rocket from the surface of a dusty reddish-orange planet

Winning the Red Planet race: Returning Mars samples before China should be a top US priority, experts say

By Leonard David published

"The Chinese may well beat the U.S. with a grab sample."

Mars
An illustration of a rocket ship about to encounter a burst of cosmic rays

Before trips to Mars, we need better protection from cosmic rays

By Zahida Sultanova published

Outside Earth's protection, space travellers will be routinely exposed.

Mars
This view of a region called Syrtis Major is from the 100,000th image captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter using its HiRISE camera. The image was snapped on Oct. 7, 2025. Over nearly 20 years, HiRISE has helped scientists understand how the Red Planet’s surface is constantly changing.

Camera on NASA Mars probe snaps its 100,000th photo of the Red Planet

By Mike Wall published

The HiRISE camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter just notched a big milestone, snapping its 100,000th photo of the Red Planet.

Mars
A close up of the surface of Mars showing blue dunes with streaks of ancient river basins between the dunes

Scientists map of old Mars river basins for the 1st time. These could be great places to search for ancient life

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

"We did the simplest thing that could be done — we just mapped them and pieced them together."

Mars
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