Space photo of the week: Mysterious dry ice geysers erupt on Mars as spring awakens the Red Planet

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captures geysers of gas and dust on Mars. (Image: NASA)

Something unusual happens on Mars when spring arrives. Geysers of gas and dust erupt near its south pole, leaving behind jagged patterns. These formations appear only in springtime, making them a fascinating sight for scientists.

How the geysers form

During winter, carbon dioxide ice builds up on Mars' surface. Unlike Earth's ice, this frozen carbon dioxide is transparent. Sunlight passes through it, warming the ground beneath. As temperatures rise, the ice turns into vapour, escaping through cracks. This process creates geysers, releasing gas and dust into the air. The streaks left behind are called "spiders on Mars" because of their spindly shapes.

The seasons of Mars

Like Earth, Mars experiences four seasons due to its tilted axis. However, a Martian year lasts 687 Earth days, making each season twice as long. Mars’ elliptical orbit also affects its climate. The planet moves faster when closer to the Sun, making southern summers shorter and hotter. Winters in the south are longer and colder because Mars moves slower when farther from the Sun.

The image of these geysers was captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in 2018. NASA recently reshared it, sparking interest in these seasonal Martian events. The MRO, launched in 2005, continues to study the Red Planet from orbit, revealing more about its changing landscape.