NASA finds unusual formations on the surface of Mars

This week, NASA (North American Space Agency) released images of an unusual formation on the surface of Mars. In the shape of almost perfect circles, the sand dunes that formed on the red planet surprised scientists, and their appearance intrigued scholars.

Although it is not difficult to find mounds of different types and shapes on the planet, the image captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) probe reveals more than just holes in the surface of the star. This is because the diversity of shapes and textures of the formations can bring important information about the fourth planet of the solar system.

“Sand dunes of many shapes and sizes are common on Mars,” NASA scientists explain in a statement, adding: “[mas]in this example, the dunes are almost perfectly circular, which is unusual”, say the scholars.

Winter Research on Mars

The images were taken in November 2022 and are part of a project by space agency to monitor how the frost disappears at the end of winter. In the new photos, obtained through a series of observations made by the High-Resolution Imaging Experiment(High Resolution Image Experiment),scientists noticed that some of the dunes appear without the frozen layer; in previous captures, they were covered by ice.

The camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbitehas also been studying changes in the northern hemisphere of Mars as the season changes to spring. Recently, while flying over the red planet, the equipment also captured images with figures similar to a bear’s face.

Influence of winds on the formation of mountains

The mounds were found in a region with much steeper dunes and close to a Utopia Planitia crater, in the northern hemisphere of the planet. planet.From the observation of the formations, scientists suggest that the phenomenon was formed by the winds, which, at this time of year, blow towards the south.

“[Essas formações] are slightly asymmetrical, with steep landslide faces at the southern ends. This indicates that the sand generally moves south, but the winds can be variable,” says Alfred McEwen, professor of Planetary Geology at the University of Arizona and a member of the research.

In addition, with the analysis of the dunes, scientists were able to monitor the speed at which the planet moves. Thus, they discovered that the craters have advanced about one meter from the equator to the star’s poles.

Meteorological aspects of the red planet

The variation in shapes and sizes of the dunes also revealed important information about the meteorological issues of Mars. That’s because the images obtained by the High-Resolution Imaging Experiment show that, while the MRO was examining the Lyot crater on Mars, in 2010, the crater created a kind of channel that directed the winds.