Mars Anomalies
Mars is very unique - here are some reasons why. UFO’S, aliens, future life forms, have all been tag lines for interesting anomalies that accompany Mars. An anomaly by definition is a unique, strange, or abnormal event that is often described as a deviation of the rules. Mars’s first documentation of discovery was somewhere around 1500 B.C., and since then it is safe to say that anomalies started to surface very soon after. This orange and red colored planet glows and emits an aura of mystery and suspense, which is often reinforced by apparent unique and strange events that are reported to have taken place.
The allure of Mars and its mysteries has only deepened with the advancement of technology and our ability to explore its surface from afar. The planet’s enigmatic nature fuels both scientific inquiry and the imagination of the public, leading to a fascinating intersection of hard science and speculative thought.
This blend of curiosity and conjecture sets the stage for a deeper examination of the anomalies that Mars presents, beckoning us to look closer and question what we think we know about our celestial neighbor.
There have been recent accounts that state some sort of monolith has been found through imagery of NASA’s rover, Opportunity. This monolith has a profile that is very similar to ones that are present on earth, and furthermore, it has become one of the fastest and popular growing anomalies tied to Mars. It has gotten recognition from Buzz Aldrin, who also confirms that it is indeed a monolith. Another anomaly that is growing in recognition is the belief of pagan god Marduk. Marduk was a god that was apparently associated with the planet Mars, and recent imagery has been arguably manipulated to create some sort of forming portrait or proof of this ancient pagan god.
Aliens are always up for talk and debate, since the 2000’s the growing numbers of individuals who believe that Aliens from Mars are creating and giving signs through crop pictures has been arguably some of the most peculiar and elaborative evidence for this intergalactic theory.
Co2 Filled Ice Found on Mars
A pretty big discovery which made news worldwide. Through various pictures and investigation, it has been discovered that Mars has ice deposits. This in itself was a very profound discovery at the time, but this was just the beginning of many discoveries about Mars. Billions of years ago, Mars did not only have water, but it had great bodies of water. At one time, Mars was filled with creeks, ponds, rivers and even oceans. It is reported that remains of these great bodies of water can be seen in indentations on the planet’s surface. Recently, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter made another very noteworthy discovery into the past, and possibly the future of Mars. While taking samples of a large ice deposit on the planet’s South Pole, another type of ice was discovered under the water; they found ice filled with Co2. This Co2 filled ice was very large in size and could be comparable in size to Lake Superior.
A discovery of such a large amount of Co2 is important for many reasons. Mars is known to have slight shifts in the planet’s alignment which brings one pole closer to the sun, an occurrence which would lead to the release of some, or all of the Co2 discovered by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Carbon dioxide is what’s known as a greenhouse gas. It has a great effect on a planets atmosphere. As seen in our own planet; an excess of carbon dioxide can lead to the warming of the planet. In the case of Mars, the increased amount of carbon dioxide would thicken the planet’s atmosphere enough to increase the presence of water. While it has been noted by scientists, that the increase in water would be subtle, it would be enough to bring back surface water to smaller bodies, such as ponds and creeks. These changes could be seen in a few tens of thousands of years, but unfortunately the reemergence of oceans on Mars would take a far longer time. On a less positive note, an increase in the atmosphere’s thickness would also bring about stronger winds. The winds of Mars are already clocked in at hundreds of miles per hour, but an increase in thickness would make the winds even more harsh and devastating.
This discovery has many applications that are relevant to the future of Mars exploration. Though it will be some time in the far future, it is agreed by scientists that it is very likely that the atmosphere of Mars will thicken and the presence of water will be sustained. These factors could be of great importance to space colonizers of the future. A water source and more protective atmosphere could make Mars a viable option for sustaining human life.
Mars Exploration
There has been an ever growing infatuation between us earthlings and the never ending fantasy world that lies just outside of our home planet Earth. It should come to no surprise that there is a visible relationship between Earth and exploration of Mars. Mars being a neighboring planet to Earth, has received all of our curiosity, and has been explored by various satellites and rovers.
There have been many unsuccessful efforts to explore mars with probes prior to rovers. The first form of exploration November 28, 1964 by NASA’s satellite Mariner 4 was the first mission that had actually provided a closer picture of this red planet. However, arguably the greatest exploration mission was the initial and first time an object from earth had moved on Mars. On June 10, 2003 NASA's rover called Spirit, landed inside what was once called a crater lake, Gusev Crater. The operation was only expected to last around three to a best possible of eight years, however the rover had lasted much longer and was later accompanied by Opportunity, which is another rover from NASA.
Future missions to Mars are currently being conducted and planned, in which they all hope to strike upon some new images, chemicals, or perhaps even better life forms. It is a universal attempt to find out what Mars is all about and furthermore the possibility of this mysterious planet being home to something besides dust.
What Makes Mars Different
What makes Mars so different than the other 7 planets? Many have said that the new goal of NASA is to get to Mars. Having sent Man to the moon in 1969, and then doing it 5 more times over the next few years, NASA accomplished its stated goal. However, NASA hasn't sent anyone to the moon since 1972, and it isn't likely to do so in the near term. NASA wants to innovate and going to Mars would be an amazing innovation. But why can we even consider going to Mars and not any other Planet?
The major difference in Mars is also the reason why it is conceivable for humans to visit Mars. Mars has the presence of water, ice, oxygen and other particles. These are important attributes that seperate Mars from the other planets. Mars also has other features which are comparable to features on earth. Mars has mountains, canyons, and even canals. A day on Mars is 24.6 hours long which of course is very similar to how long days are on earth.
Mars does have additional characteristics that set it apart from other planets. Mars has frozen water at its poles - as does Earth. However, no other planet can make this claim. Mars also has an extremely large volcano, which is called Olympus Mons. This volcano is larger than any volcano on any of the other planets. Olympus Mons is over 80,000 feet high and it has fascinated astronomers ever since it was discovered.
Who Discovered Mars
If you've ever stared up at the night sky, you might have wondered who discovered the twinkling celestial bodies that grace our universe. From the dazzling Sun to the mysterious Moon, every planet and star has an interesting story behind its discovery. And today, we're going to delve into the intriguing tale of who discovered Mars - the Red Planet that has captivated our imagination for centuries!
An Ancient Obsession with the Cosmos
Long before modern telescopes and space probes, our ancestors gazed at the sky in wonder. They observed countless stars, tracked the Moon's phases with curiosity, and even noticed some oddities among the moving dots of light in the sky. Mars, with its distinctive reddish hue and occasional retrograde motion when it appeared to backtrack in its orbit, caught their attention.
Enter Claudius Ptolemy
Fast-forward to Ancient Greece. Claudius Ptolemy was a Greek astronomer who lived during the 2nd century AD. His comprehensive work known as Almagest became a cornerstone of astronomy for centuries to come. Ptolemy dedicated himself to studying and documenting celestial bodies meticulously.
Drawing on years of meticulous observations by his predecessors, Ptolemy took a closer look at Mars and carefully recorded its movements and appearances in his astronomical treatise. He described Mars' peculiar journey across the sky, including its retrograde loops that had puzzled previous astronomers.
Ptolemy's work laid a solid foundation for future astronomers, setting them on a path towards uncovering more about this enigmatic red jewel in our solar system.
Johannes Kepler: The Rebellious Genius
The Renaissance period witnessed remarkable advancements in various fields of study, including astronomy. In the early 17th century, Johannes Kepler emerged onto the astronomical scene as a rebellious genius who dared challenge the traditional beliefs.
Kepler was inspired by the works of Nicolaus Copernicus, who postulated that the Earth revolved around the Sun, contrary to the widely accepted Earth-centered model of the universe. Building upon this revolutionary idea, Kepler formulated his three laws of planetary motion.
One of Kepler's pivotal contributions came when he observed Mars through a telescope. His keen eye and meticulous calculations allowed him to plot the exact positions of the planet at different times. Armed with this data, Kepler introduced his second law: planets move in elliptical orbits, with the Sun at one of the foci.
Kepler's discoveries laid bare Mars' secrets and propelled our understanding of its celestial dance. Suddenly, it wasn't just a mysterious red dot; it was a world in its own right, orbiting our central star in a way that mirrored other planets.
Mariner 4: A Close Encounter
While Ptolemy and Kepler played crucial roles in unraveling Mars' mysteries from afar, it was another milestone that truly brought us up close and personal with the Red Planet - Mariner 4, an unmanned spacecraft launched by NASA in 1964.
Mariner 4 set off on an epic journey across millions of miles to become the first-ever human-made object to successfully fly by Mars. It snapped grainy pictures revealing a barren landscape scarred by ancient craters. These groundbreaking images gave us our first glimpse of intriguing surface features and opened up further avenues for exploration.
In recent years, a succession of advanced robotic rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance has continued to unearth new information about Mars, bringing us closer than ever to understanding this captivating planet.
Curiosity: The Rover That Keeps on Giving
Of all the rovers that have graced the Martian surface, Curiosity stands out as one of the most successful and long-lasting. Launched in 2011, this intrepid explorer has been traversing the Red Planet for over a decade, tirelessly gathering data and sending back stunning images.
Equipped with an array of sophisticated instruments and cameras, Curiosity has been able to analyze the composition of Martian rocks and soil. It has discovered evidence of past water activity, suggesting that Mars may have once harbored conditions suitable for life. This groundbreaking finding has sparked a renewed interest in the possibility of microbial life on our neighboring planet.
But Curiosity isn't just a scientist; it's also quite the photographer. Its high-resolution cameras have captured breathtaking panoramas of Mars, revealing its rugged terrain, towering mountains, and vast deserts. These images transport us millions of miles away and allow us to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of this alien world from the comfort of our own homes.
So, Who Really Discovered Mars?
To pinpoint one person or moment as solely responsible for discovering Mars would be unjust. Throughout history, countless astronomers have contributed their observations and theories about this captivating planet. Their collective efforts have paved the way for humanity to unlock the mysteries of Mars, ultimately shaping our understanding of the universe.
From Ptolemy to Kepler, and from Mariner 4 to today's rovers, every step taken on this astronomical journey expands our knowledge of the planet. So let's embrace the curiosity that drives us, and continue exploring the wonders of our cosmos! Who knows what fascinating discoveries await us in the future as we continue our ongoing love affair with Mars and beyond?
Who discovered planet Mars?
The discovery of Mars was a collective effort of multiple astronomers throughout history, such as Ptolemy and Kepler, who studied its movements and positions, leading to a greater understanding of our solar system.
When was Mars discovered?
The discovery of Mars dates back to antiquity, but it was not until the 17th century that astronomers Kepler and Galilei made significant contributions with their observations of Mars' orbit and use of telescopes.
How was Mars named?
Mars was named after the Roman god of war due to its reddish hue, and has inspired humans for centuries, often evoking feelings of exploration and conquest.
Mars Moons
There has been a ton of debate about the moons of mars. Is it fact or myth? A hoax or tangible evidence? Fortunately, it has been proven that it is indeed true, Mars does most certainly have two moons. These two moons were first proven valid in 1877 when American Astronomer Asaph Hall identified them after an extensively deep and long search. The two moons were named after two Greek Mythological gods, Phobos and Deimos meaning panic and fear. Phobos and Deimos are so small in comparison to the planet, that in 1959 Walter Scott Houston in attempt to circulate an April fool’s day joke perpetuated the notion that these two moons were in fact hoaxes, and that they were actually manmade satellites.
Phobos and Deimos are miniscule in size in comparison to Mars, but what most individuals don’t know, is that we have very little to no information about their origin, composition, or even purpose. Contrary we do know that they hold very different purposes in comparison to the Earth’s moon. Phobos and Deimos rise and set differently than each other, and are tidally locked meaning that they always present the same side or face to Mars. However, since Phobos is actually significantly closer to Mars, the tidal locking is actually starting to diminish the orbital radius of Phobos. Therefore, it is speculated that Phobos will eventually be broken up by these tidal forces. Deimos on the other hand is so far away from Mars that it is actually have the opposite effect, and making the actual moon come closer.
Nasa's Rover on Mars
For many decades, Mars has been one of the most interesting destinations for space travel and investigation. Being a similar size and composition to our own planet, scientists one day hope for Mars to be a candidate to support life if need be. Before it is at all possible to see if this optimistic future goal is obtainable or simply science fiction, a variety of questions must first be answered: scientists are interested in whether or not life was ever on Mars; it is necessary for scientists to fully understand the climate of Mars; and scientists must answer questions about the planet’s geology. The limits of current technology and funding prevent human exploration on planet Mars, but it has not meant that scientists haven’t put a great deal of effort into attempts to answer these questions in a more realistic way. Currently, the NASA Rover missions have provided the most insight into the geology, climate and history or Mars. On July 4, 1997, the first Mars rover, Pathfinder, landed, but could only maintain communications until September of the same year. Though the success of Pathfinder was short lived, NASA would not abandon its mission to gain more understanding about Mars.
NASA’s second rover missions to Mars were headline news in 2003. The rovers launched and in January of 2004, both of the rovers landed. While the nation could take great pride in this astronomical feat, the actions of the rovers became less known as the years have passed. In actuality, a little known fact is that one of the rovers is still active today. The two rovers, Opportunity and Spirit were originally commissioned for a 90-sol (90 Mars days) mission where they would record the landscape and composition of the planet’s surface. The goal was originally to roam Mars for three months, in hopes of finding some clues about the planet’s history, but being solar powered vehicles however, the rovers were able to maintain power and extend the mission well beyond its initial frame. The Spirit was active until 2009, when it unfortunately became incapable of further movement. The spirit continued communications as stationary piece of equipment until 2010. The Opportunity is still active today, which prompts many to wonder what exactly the rover is up to.
In the most basic sense, the Opportunity has been slowly moving across Mars’s surface. After seven years on Mars, the rover has only traveled around 11 miles. In that relatively short distance, the Opportunity and its decommissioned twin rover Spirit have made a variety of discoveries. The rovers discovered the first asteroid on another planet, known as Heat Shield Rock. In addition opportunity has done a great deal or geological research by exploring various craters on the planet. From October 2005 to March 2006, Opportunity explored the Erebus crater and it explored the Victoria crater from September 2006 to August 2008. Currently the Opportunity is in the process of approaching the Endeavor crater, where it will continue to take geological samples.
Nothing is for certain, but the future of the Opportunity Mars rover seems bright. Scientists are amazed that the rover is still functioning today and will continue to use the rover as long as possible. As the Opportunity enters the Endeavor crater, hopes of important discoveries bubble in the stomachs of the NASA scientists who have lead this mission for more than seven years.
NASA’s New Mars Mission
Recent news has reported that NASA, along with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, has chosen the destination for the most recent Mars rover. The rover is scheduled to land on a crater called “Gale.” Gale Crater extends 96 miles and a high rising mountain. The size of the crater is compared as being about the same as the combined area of Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to Fox News. Furthermore, a rover is a vehicle used for space exploration that is designed to maneuver across the surface of a planet or other astronomical bodies. Some rovers are used to take members of a crew and others are robot-looking vehicles that function partially or fully autonomously. Mars’s rover looks like it is in the form of a robot. This new rover is called The Mars Science Laboratory, or its nickname, Curiosity, and is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in November 2011 and land on Mars next year (August 2012.) The new rover interestingly named, Curiosity, is twice as long as and five times heavier than previous Mars rovers. It is more or less the size of a Mini Cooper, according to Fox News. It is basically like a science laboratory on wheels because the rover will be carrying the tools needed to do research. NASA’s goal is to have the rover look for circumstances that could uphold microscopic life and any evidence of previous life on Mars.
Curiosity’s body has been cleverly designed to perform specific tasks. It has ten science instruments, including two that are for taking and analyzing samples of powdered rock that are collected by the rover’s robotic arms. Curiosity will be provided with heat and electric power from a radioscopic power source. Furthermore, although it won’t be able to take vivid 3-D pictures, Curiosity will be able to capture everything it sees through digital colored cameras that are in place of its eyes. These cameras are much more powerful than the ones used on previous rovers.
Moreover, unlike previous methods used to deliver the rover to Mars, NASA decided to deliver the new craft by having a rocket-powered sky crane suspending the craft on tethers, which will then lower the rover directly to the planet’s surface. Also, the launch of this new rover is going much higher than the expected budget, according to NASA’s auditors. Originally, it was suppose to take off in 2009, yet technical problems and budget issues got in the way. The cost of this mission has risen from $1.6 billion to $2.5 billion. If they were to delay the launch once more, it would cost them at least another $570 million. As of now, Curiosity and other spacecrafts are taking final tests until the launch date.
The Search for Life on Mars
For decades, interest in life on Mars has been increased by common depictions of Martians in film, television and other media. H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds inspired the overactive imaginations of millions of Americans and in subsequent years, dozens of titles have released that feature extraterrestrial life. An obsession with Martians is not simply a media fad; for over a century, scientists have had a great deal of interest in the possibility of life on Mars. Astronomers of the late 19th century and early 20th century had grandiose visions of Mars, which contained possible rivers and canals; geographic signals that life must exist on the planet. As science progressed however, it was realized that Mars was now a dry, red planet without a magnetic field and the constant presence of sand storms. Though the iconic large green head and oval black eyes are merely the work of fiction, the search for life on Mars has not ended. In the mid-1970s, the Viking 1 & 2 missions would give the United States its first real chance to find tangible evidence of life on Mars.
The Viking 1 & 2 missions would be the first probes to take soil samples of another planet. The two Viking orbiters launched on August 20, 1975 (Viking 2) and September 9, 1975 (Viking 2) and reached Mars on June 19 and August 7 of the following year. Once the orbiters established positions in Mars’s orbit, Landers were sent to the planet’s surface. The Viking Landers were equipped with a variety of state of the art instruments that included biology sampling tools, X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, seismometers, and cameras. After the Viking Landers reached the surface, they set out on their task of gathering Mars ground samples, which would allow them to look for biological evidence of microbial life. Much to the disappointment of scientists, most of the tests returned with negative results. There was however, one test that presented interesting findings; after exposing Mars soil to water and nutrients there was increased production of 14CO2. Unfortunately, the excitement of this finding was short lived, because additional instruments on the Viking Landers did not detect any type of natural organic matter. Although the scientific community concluded that this was not a sufficient sign of life, it did raise a host of new questions that needed to be answered to fully understand Mars’ ability to support life in the past and present.
The Viking Landers and Orbiters would continue their missions until November of 1982 (Viking 1) and April 1980 (Viking 2), but this did not mark an end to the search for life on Mars. Though conclusive data was not discovered during the Viking missions, NASA continues to make plans to explore Mars more thoroughly in the future. One Mars Rover, from the early 2000s mission, is still active on the planet today. Additionally, the future holds several missions to Mars including NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory, the European Space Agency’s ExoMars program and hopes of the Mars Sample Return Mission, which would allow for samples to be brought back to Earth to be analyzed. Scientists realize the many difficulties and limitations of trying to find life on a planet, and even though, to this point, no definitive signs of life have been discovered, they are not discouraged, only hopeful.
Water on Mars
In 2002, there had been evidence of water above and possibly below the surface of Mars. This was a phenomenal discovery that led to extended and more progressive forms of research on Mars through probes such as Mars Odyssey and the various rovers. As of July 31, 2008 NASA scientists have found and documented that proof of water was discovered on the surface. Terrain markings and advanced imagery have proven that there was indeed water present, which was only further reinforced by Mars’s rover Spirit.
However, all of this new and exciting discussion about the water found proves to be somewhat of old news. Evidence points to the main belief that possibly in the past that Mars was once a planet with free flowing water. Soil samples have lead scientists to believe that this sand dune of a planet once was possibly a planet with a decent and substantial amount of water. Furthermore, this theory is backed up by the belief that under the surface of Mars a substantial amount of water is present. Apparently there is so much water under the surface that it could fill up two Lake Michigans.
All of these interesting and new discoveries have also lead to a lot of confusion and distraught, yet overall have been acknowledged as a scientific breakthrough. As water and other signs of life are being discovered in Mars and other planets, these are significant and key breakthroughs that will only help further progress mankind and its understanding of the intergalactic world that engulfs us.
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