Mars‘ Marvels: 10 Remarkable Discoveries in 2024
Every year, Mars’ robotic explorers and orbiters uncover new secrets about the Red Planet’s past and bring us closer to the potential future of human habitation. And 2024 was no different. From the mysterious ‘spiders’ to massive water reservoirs and canine-shaped rock piles, here are the top 10 Discoveries this year:
1. Enormous Underground Oceans
The most significant Mars finding this year was the revelation that enormous reservoirs, capable of covering the planet with oceans up to 1,000 feet (330 meters) deep, lie hidden beneath its surface. NASA‘s InSight lander discovered these bodies of water through more than four years of Martian ‘quake data.
2. ‘Spider’ Invades ‘Inca City’
‘Spider’ formations on Mars are thin cracks that appear as the planet’s spring begins and ice transforms directly into gas, pulling dust from beneath. In April, Mars Express (ESA) and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (ESA) images revealed swarms of these formations near the South Pole’s ‘Inca City’ region.
3. Mars’ Dogs and Mysterious Blocks
In September, radar scans revealed dozens of dense, mysterious blocks – including a surprising canine-shaped structure – hidden under the ancient, dry seabed surrounding the North Pole. These structures have densities of 300 to 400 kg/m³, higher than their surroundings. Initial theories suggest they may be ice-rich, but their origins remain unclear.
4. Hidden Volcano
A massive, long-extinct volcano was discovered this March, stretching over 450 km. Elusive to detection until now, this once-mighty titan has largely eroded away, leaving only traces on the surface.
5. The Surprising Smile
In September, scientists found a grinning visage etched into Mars’ surface by ancient deposits of salt and twin meteor craters. This eerie ‘smile’ was visible only in infrared imagery captured by ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.
6. Icy Peaks
Observations from June revealed that dormant volcanic peaks on Mars are caped with frost – up to 150,000 tons of frozen water, enough to fill 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This discovery could be crucial for future human missions, as water is essential for drinking, growing crops, and producing oxygen.
7. Bizarre Rocks
NASA’s rovers continue to unearth unusual rocks on Mars, adding to our understanding of the planet’s geology and potential habitats for past or present life.
These findings remind us that Mars, though seemingly desolate, remains a world of wonder and mystery, waiting to reveal its secrets one discovery at a time.
