Image captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter probe revealed a series of formations on the surface of Mars that, at first glance, resemble a group of spiders. (Photo: ExoMars TGO/ESA)
ESA (European Space Agency) revealed a phenomenon on Mars that generates forms similar to arachnids. An image recently captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter probe shows a series of formations on the surface of Mars that, at first glance, resemble a group of spiders.
These very peculiar formations, found in a region at the south pole of the red planet called “Inca City”, result from ice that, with the change from winter to Martian spring, releases carbon dioxide, forming channels that go from 45 meters to a kilometer in diameter.
“These small cracks form when spring sunlight falls on the carbon dioxide blanket deposited during the dark winter months,” ESA explained.
“Sunlight transforms the carbon dioxide ice at the base of this cover into gas, which causes it to accumulate and rupture the upper ice sheets. The gas is released in the Martian spring, dragging dark-colored matter to the surface and breaking through layers of ice up to one meter thick,” the agency said.
The gas, loaded with dark dust, is released in high columns through cracks in the ice, forming geysers and depositing on the surface, which creates the dark spots seen in the images. These processes form patterns under the ice that, seen from above, resemble spiders.
“Inca City” on Mars
Discovered in 1972 by NASA’s Mariner 9 probe, the “Inca City”, also called Angustus Labyrinthus, owes its name to linear mountain ranges, which were initially thought to be petrified sand dunes or remains of ancient glaciers.
According to the scientific portal Live Science, discoveries from the Mars Orbiter probe in 2002 indicated the existence of a circular crater 86 kilometers wide, possibly created after an impact by a celestial body. The geometric ridges could be formed by magma accumulated after the collision.
