From Spiders to Martian Dog: 10 Astonishing Discoveries on Mars in 2024

From Spiders to Martian Dog: 10 Astonishing Discoveries on Mars in 2024

By Sheetal Kumari | January 6, 2025

Giant underground ocean

NASA’s InSight lander discovered a vast underground reservoir on Mars, potentially crucial for future astronauts, located 7 to 13 miles beneath the surface.

Image Credit: NASA

Mars’ Spider

Martian “spiders,” crack-like features near Mars’ south pole, emerged in 2024. Scientists recreated them on Earth, advancing research into these fascinating formations.

Image Credit: NASA

Martian dog

A gravity map revealed dense blobs under Mars’ north pole and a massive lava plume beneath Olympus Mons, the solar system’s tallest volcano.

Image Credit: NASA

Hidden Massive Volcano

Scientists uncovered a massive eroded volcano on Mars, 280 miles wide, with a buried glacier nearby, marking it as ideal for astrobiological research.

Image Credit: NASA

An Eerie Smile

In September, researchers discovered a “smiley face” on Mars, formed by salt deposits and craters, hinting at potential conditions for biological preservation.

Image Credit: NASA

Frosty peaks

In June, researchers found Martian volcano peaks host 150,000 tons of frost, sublimating daily under sunlight but reforming each night, defying previous assumptions.

Image Credit: NASA

Cryptic terrain

ESA’s Mars Orbiter found dark “cryptic terrain” at the south pole, caused by CO2 ice cycles, creating unique dust patterns that accelerate sublimation.

Image Credit: NASA

Green spots

Perseverance rover discovered tiny green spots on Mars, suggesting possible oxidation of rocks, similar to rust, hinting at potential microbial activity or abiotic processes.

Image Credit: NASA

Buried ice chunks

Massive ice chunks buried beneath Mars’ equator discovered, suggesting potential for future Martian bases. Ice found under ash layers in Medusae Fossae Formation.

Image Credit: NASA

Weird rocks

NASA rovers in 2024 found bizarre Martian rocks, including an arrowhead shape, pale “Atoko Point,” and striped “zebra rock,” offering insights into Mars’ geological past.

Image Credit: NASA

Next: Top 10 Largest Forests in the World
Thanks For Reading !
Find out More