Mars
Latest about Mars
New Japanese spacecraft aims to explore the mysterious moons of Mars
By Leonard David published
Japan's planned Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft mission involves drilling and sampling Mars' moon Phobos, then rocketing the samples to Earth.
New map of ice on Mars could help NASA decide where to send future astronauts
By Rahul Rao published
The NASA-funded SWIM project aims to detect where there's most likely water ice beneath Martian ground. Here's why.
Thanks to a layer of molten rock, Mars' core appears bigger than it is
By Charles Q. Choi published
Scientists have wondered why Mars' core can be so big and light at the same time. Two new studies might have an explanation.
A mud lake on Mars might be hiding signs of life in chaotic terrain
By Rahul Rao published
Martian biosignatures might be lurking in an ancient mud lake on the Red Planet, a new study suggests. But a landing mission is needed to confirm the satellite study.
Mars was shaken by its strongest marsquake ever in 2022. Now we know what caused it
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists have traced the biggest marsquake detected by Insight in May 2022 to tectonic forces within Mars' crust, ruling out a meteorite impact.
Explore a mysterious, crinkly Mars valley in this flyover video
By Elizabeth Howell published
New spacecraft footage from Mars Express shows off a rugged valley on the Red Planet, shaped by volcanic activity from the famous Tharsis region.
Mars Society conference happening online Oct. 5 through Oct. 8
By Elizabeth Howell published
The 26th Annual International Mars Society Convention will start Oct. 5. Here's how you can watch online.
Mars' atmosphere: Facts about composition and climate
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Reference Mars' atmosphere is over 100 times thinner than Earth's and is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon gases.
NASA may have unknowingly found and killed alien life on Mars 50 years ago, scientist claims
By Harry Baker published
One researcher hypothesizes that experiments carried out by NASA's Viking landers in 1976 could have inadvertently killed microbes living in Martian rocks. Other experts are skeptical.
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